Clive Harvey and Derek Pearce, founder members of the long defunct, sadly missed and almost legendary Roaring Jelly, are back. Refurbished, revitalised, refortified by vitamins and fish oils, with new wonder ingredient Graeme Taylor, they are reinvented as The Omega 3, foremost purveyors of English Eccentric Humour in Song, providing those Essential Batty Acids.
Back in the 70s and 80s Roaring Jelly (Derek, Clive and bass player Mick Hennessy) worked their socks off and carved a niche, on the folk scene and beyond, proving you could make a living specialising in utterly bizarre songs (and long sentences). The Guinness Who's Who of Folk Music described them as: "Pioneers of alternative comedy before the term became fashionable".
Clive and Derek met at Nottingham Art College in 1970. The college then had a thriving folk club, packed to the rafters every week. Clive and Derek were regular solo performers but got on well and soon teamed up as a duo, to good response. They also entered the regular college talent contest and won it so often they got banned by the social sec, but in the same conversation he sweetened the pill by offering them a paid gig. “What are you going to call yourselves?†he asked. Derek replied off the top of his head “Roaring Jelly†- the title of the Irish jig he was currently learning to play. “Good name,†thought Clive. So Roaring Jelly it was.
Derek suggested drafting in a mate of his, Mick Hennessy, singer and bass player with Derby folk band The Druids. The expansion to a trio was intended as a temporary arrangement, a one-off for that first paid gig in '71. The line-up lasted for 16 years and an estimated 1500 gigs, the Jelly eventually dissolving in 1987.
In 2006, Derek & Clive regrouped as The Omega 3, with Da'aboth Te'He'Ling, "polisher of souls", who has now departed to play rock'n'roll (and polish more souls), but not before completing his contribution to the CD Essential Batty Acids (ADA label, ADA111CD). The album has been described "a lovely little gem" by comedian Rob Brydon.
Stepping into the large space vacated by Da'aboth, promoted from session banjoist/vocalist and co-recording engineer on that very album, comes none other than the legendary Graeme Taylor. Many of you will be familiar with Graeme's distinguished work with Gryphon, the Albion Band, Home Service and the Rolf Harris Band, to drop rather too many names. He also has wide experience of playing a variety of instruments in West End shows. In fact – let's face it – he's a right tart. Strangely, he chose for his audition with The Omega 3 a medley from Fiddler On The Roof played on piano. But he got the job anyway.
"Catchy, clever songs, very English and very funny" – Eamonn Holmes
