Orang-Utan -

Orang-Utan was the name assigned to Hunter, an English hard-rock/psych band whose intended 1970 album surfaced on Bell under the alternate moniker.

Singer Terry Clarke hailed from psych-rockers Jason Crest and subsequently fronted rustic-rockers Holy Mackerel. Drummer Jeff Seopardie later surfaced in the multi-national jazz-funk band Pacific Eardrum and the 1980s pop act Boys Don’t Cry. Guitarist Mick Clarke played on the first album by blues-rockers Killing Floor.

Members: Terry “Nobby” Clark [Terry Clarke] (vocals), Mick Clarke (guitar), Sid Fairman (guitar), Paul Roberts (bass), Jeff Seopardie (drums)

Background

Hunter formed in North London around 1970 with singer Gerry Trew, bassist Paul Roberts, drummer Jeff Seopardie, and guitarists Mick Clarke and Sid Fairman.

Clarke found the group through a friend who knew of their rehearsals in a North London pub; Fairman answered an advertisement in Melody Maker. Fairman previously played London dates with bassist Johnny Broughton and drummer Tony Hughes. Clarke and Seopardie also played in soul singer Freddie Mack’s ensemble, which appeared at the Marquee in Soho.

Trew left as Hunter concentrated on original songs by Seopardie. A Melody Maker advertisement brought in Terry “Nobby” Clarke, formerly the singer of the Tonbridge group Jason Crest. Hunter played the Speakeasy on Margaret Street with Paladin and opened for the Idle Race and Soft Machine. Manager Leslie Rapacioli paid for upgraded equipment and introduced the group to producer Adrian Millar, who arranged a July 1970 session at De Lane Lea Studios in Holborn with engineer Louis Austin.

Discography:

Orang-Utan (1970)

Sources

Sid Fairman interview. Original singer, recruitment, concerts, manager, and studio arrangements. (It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine)
Mick Clarke interview. North London rehearsals, equipment, and the introduction to Millar. (It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine)
Nick Warburton, Freddie Mack band research. Clarke and Seopardie in Mack’s 1970 ensemble, supported by Clarke’s account and period photographs. (Garage Hangover)
Think Like A Key Music, 2026 archival release notes. The July 1970 session and Louis Austin’s engineering credit. (Think Like A Key Music)