'80s music party 'on steroids': New Wave Nation celebrates 25 years with Canton concert

CANTON − New Wave Nation started out as a five-year plan.

Seated in an empty Canton Palace Theatre near the stage on a recent weekday afternoon, founding band members Ken Harding and Jay Secrest reflected on the origins of the '80s pop and rock music tribute group.

"We were kind of riding the wave of, 'Let's see how far we can take it and have fun with it,'" Secrest said of the early days.

The roots of the band were planted when they were kids growing up loving music and dreaming of rock 'n' roll stardom. It started when they received guitars for Christmas as teenagers.

"I was always into music since an early age," Harding said. "I remember being on the playground at 7 years old with a boombox playing 'Hurts So Good' by John Cougar."

Added Secrest with his characteristic enthusiasm: "I used to love Michael Jackson, the whole 'Thriller' album. I would just pretend I had a concert in the basement."

Passion for music would lead to the friends forming New Wave Nation in the late '90s. Countless concerts have followed, with the band becoming a staple at Stark County festivals and events. Shows are even performed outside Ohio, including Pennsylvania and New York.

Secrest is the band's lead vocalist while Harding plays guitar and helps with singing. New Wave Nation also includes longtime member Randy Horn, who plays bass and also does some vocals, with Moe Thomas on drums.

Duran Duran, Simple Minds and more '80s tribute band New Wave Nation still rolling after 20 years

Their story and success culminates at 7:30 p.m. today with a 25th anniversary concert at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N. General admission tickets cost $25 (fee included) and can be purchased at the door or at https://cantonpalacetheatre.org/.

Tickets are available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m.

Rock 'n' roll dreams: A teenager with a red Fender Stratocaster

Talk about forming a band began at age 13. Secrest had a white Fender bass. Harding wielded a red Fender Stratocaster. A talent show performance at the Cultural Center for the Arts in Canton featured their band playing hard rock with a touch of punk fury.

Guitar lessons would give them the chops to play as a teenage garage band, including at the Akron Agora. Eventually they would shift their musical focus to New Wave Nation, forming the band in 1998.

Taking notice of the popularity of tribute bands, the 1993 Perry Township High School grads didn't go the usual route of dedicating their covers to a singular act such as Bon Jovi, Kiss, Journey or Fleetwood Mac.

Devo initially inspired Harding and Secrest. The quirky, costumed new wave band with roots in Kent and Akron who scored a big hit song with "Whip It" in 1980.

Devo was a sonic stepping stone to performing the songs of other '80s superstars: Duran Duran, Prince, Michael Jackson, Ratt, Blondie, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Billy Idol, Def Leppard, Joan Jett, The Cure, Bon Jovi, INXS, Van Halen, Simple Minds and many others.

Secrest, however, doesn't consider New Wave Nation to be a tribute band in the traditional sense. He doesn't dress the part of a particular '80s music star. And songs may be improvised and customized.

New Wave Nation concerts are about entertainment, said Secrest, who serves as the Next Step and worship pastor at Perry Christian Church in Stark County.

"I think people want to come out and have fun," he said. "We want to be able to put on the best possible show we can."

Fans old and new attend concerts. Familiar faces are spotted. Some go back to 1998. Fans bring their kids to shows.

"It's when you're on stage, and you see those people responding to what you're doing," said Harding, who owns the Canton-based KJH Productions, a company specializing in concert and music production and video design. "And you're transporting a person back to their childhood."

Today's concert: New Wave Nation 'on steroids'

New Wave Nation concerts are also a visual experience. Videos play in the background.

Anniversary shows traditionally have been flashy and festive. One even featured a circus-style stilt walker. Today's event will be no different.

Surprises are planned, including dancers, guest musicians and the EN-RICH-MENT Drumline. Crowd interaction and singalongs are also signatures of the band's concerts.

Harding predicts a New Wave Nation show "on steroids."

Super fan Lisa the 'Dancing Machine'

Super fans like Lisa Betz of Alliance will be in attendance today.

Dancing is what she does at a New Wave Nation show. Even one of the band members refers to her as the "Dancing Machine."

"I'm stuck in the '80s," she said. "I think the music is timeless. I don't think there will ever be any better music than the music in the '80s."

Betz estimates she has seen the band more than 20 times.

"They're just like a good time party band to dance and have fun with lots of audience of participation," she said. "And the highlight of the show is (the song) 'Mickey' when they pass out the pompoms, and every girls wants a pompom. Men, too. Everyone wants them.

"And it's really fun seeing the kids get into it," Betz said. "It's something for people of all ages."

Reach Ed at ebalint@REP and on X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: '80s tribute band New Wave Nation celebrates with Prince, Devo, INXS