Simple Minds, Wang Chung lead new wave revival coming to Long Island

Long Island has had a decadeslong love affair with new wave music. Local radio station WLIR/WDRE/92.7 FM served as the hub of the 1980s music genre whose time was brief but potent. This summer, three new wave bands are making their way to Nassau and Suffolk.

SIMPLE MINDS

Nearly forty years ago, Simple Minds broke through huge with their seventh studio album, "Once Upon a Time," which spawned hits "Alive and Kicking," "Sanctify Yourself," "All the Things She Said" and "Don’t You (Forget About Me)." They played Jones Beach Theater for the first time in 1984 and will return to the outdoor venue in Wantagh on June 13 with Soft Cell and Modern English.

"Simple Minds began as an art rock band that moved on to pop success with an electro element in there plus a rock and roll heart," says lead singer Jim Kerr.

At the group's core is the bond between Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill, who have been friends since age 8.

"We are from the same street in the same neighborhood in Scotland and were brought up with the same values," says Kerr, 65. "Charlie is a musician who expresses himself through music. As a singer, I’m more word focused. We never step on each other’s toes because we have such distinctive roles."

INFORMATION 516-221-1000, livenation.com
TICKETS $30-$255.60

GREG HAWKES OF THE CARS with EDDIE JAPAN

The signature sound of The Cars stems from the handiwork of keyboardist Greg Hawkes. Although the band no longer exists, Hawkes is keeping the catalog alive by performing it with Boston group Eddie Japan, which comes to the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore on June 20.

"I was heavily influenced by the way The Beatles used keyboards," says Hawkes, 72. "A lot of times they would have a piano come in but only during the choruses, then it would be gone for the verses. It always made a statement."

In concert, Hawkes breaks out classics like "You’re All I’ve Got Tonight," "Just What I Needed," "Let’s Go" and "Moving in Stereo."

"The nice part of our legacy is that we keep getting played whereas some '80s bands were more of their time," says Hawkes. "Thankfully, our catalog has experienced strong longevity."

INFO 631-969-1101, boultoncenter.org

TICKETS $65-$70

WANG CHUNG

In the spring of 1984, it was impossible to escape the infectious hook of Wang Chung’s top 20 single, "Dance Hall Days."

"The song doesn’t hit you over the head too hard with a big chorus. It takes you on a journey," says lead singer-guitarist Jack Hues. "The lyrics are a bit mysterious and the shuffle rhythm translates into all kinds of different genres."

Wang Chung, which means "yellow bell" in Mandarin Chinese (the first note in the Chinese classical music scale), is participating in the "I Want My '80s Tour" with Paul Young, John Waite and Rick Springfield, which hits Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on July 9.

"Many people view us as an MTV band, but we deliver live," says Hues, 70. "In fact, we are better musicians now than we were back in the '80s."

INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

TICKETS $41.25-$172.60

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.