Whats Next

About Whats Next

Members: In order of appearance. Mark O’Keefe – Bass + Vocals (Present). John McCarthy – Guitar + Vocals (Present). Andy Bignell – Drums. Claude Corry – Guitar + Vocals (Present). Helen Starkie – Voca What's Next was formed in February of 1986 by Mark O'Keefe (Bass), John McCarthy (Guitar) and Chris Ioannou (Drums). In June of that same year, Mark's cousin Neil Smith joined the group as lead guitarist. Mark began to approach the local hoteliers and got the band it's first professional gig at the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle in December 1986. It was a first for both the band and the hotel, as The Bridge hotel had not previously been a music venue. An 8-month residency followed there in 1987, during which Neil Smith left the group to be replaced by Claude Corry, who is still a member. Other residencies include the Bald Faced Stag in Leichhardt, the Commercial Hotel in Balmain East, the Orange Grove Hotel in Orange Grove, the Ettalong hotel, Central Coast and the Beachcomber Resort, Central Coast. The band then recorded eight songs at Cloud Studios on the (expired link) Central Coast, with Parris McCleod (the studios owner) joining the band for 18-months of live performances. After a long break, What's Next is now recording songs for the rock musical "RUSTLE', conceived and written by Mark and co-authored with John McCarthy, along with other special guest artists.