The Next Band

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The Next Band were a British rock trio from England who played from 1978 to 1982. The members were Rocky Newton (vocals and bass), John Lockton (guitar) and Frank Noon (drums). Noon even played drums on Def Leppard's 1979 EP The Def Leppard E.P. The band later changed their name to Red Alert.

After The Next Band, Lockton and Noon joined Wild Horses with Rainbow and Dio bassist Jimmy Bain. Newton and Noon joined Lionheart with former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton. Lockton later joined Victory and played on their self-titled album. Newton also sang backing on Victory's Culture Killed The Native album.

Newton went on to join the McAuley Schenker Group, playing on their first two albums and co-writing the hit "Gimme Your Love." Noon later played with Pete Willis in Roadhouse.

The Next Band released the Four by Three EP in September 1978. It featured four songs by three members and was recorded at Fairview Studios in Kingston upon Hull. This EP helped inspire Def Leppard's own The Def Leppard E.P.