By: Tracy Sanders, Co-Editor | tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
When MegaWish takes the stage, something unusual happens: generations collide. Parents who grew up on grunge and alternative rock find themselves singing side by side with teenagers who are just discovering Nirvana, Green Day, and Pearl Jam. The sound is so authentic that, for a moment, you’d swear you were back in 1995.“We just wanted to do it right,” said Josh Harvey, one of the band’s founding members. “We spent a whole year rehearsing before we ever played a show. We wanted people to feel like they were hearing those songs the way they remembered them.”
From Joke to Juggernaut
MegaWish wasn’t born out of ambition—it started as a joke. After a gig at Main Street Pub, Josh and longtime friends Joe and Adam started tossing around the idea of forming a ’90s tribute band.“It was just one of those late-night conversations,” Josh recalled. “Next thing we knew, we were in a practice room saying, ‘Let’s see what we can do with this.’”What began casually quickly grew serious. By February 2024, they were ready for their first live show. Now, less than two years later, MegaWish is on track to play nearly 30 gigs this year, filling venues across the Upstate.
Band Member Spotlight
Josh Harvey: (guitar, sound, band manager)COO by day, musician by night, Josh spent years in the restaurant industry before returning to his musical roots. “Loading in and out is the real job,” he joked. “The playing part we’d do for free.”
Joe Power: (bass) The multi-instrumentalist of the group, He also fronts a blues project with Shane Pruitt.
Tucker Mabry: (guitar) Classically trained, Tucker’s guitar work often makes audiences do a double-take. “At times, it sounds like you’re hearing the original record,” one fan said after a recent Tap Three show.
Michael Strasburg: (drums) Known for his ability to pick up songs by ear, Michael anchors the band with powerhouse drumming that keeps fans moving.
Wade Bowers: (vocals) The band’s primary frontman, Wade also performs with hard rock outfits like Black River Rebels and The Accuser, bringing an edge and energy to MegaWish performances.
Adam Story: (original vocals) Though no longer full-time due to scheduling, Story still joins for special shows. By day, he oversees Main Street Pub and several local businesses.
The Soundtrack of a Generation
For the members of MegaWish, the music is personal. Josh remembers the first time he heard Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. “That was a game-changer,” he said. “It was like the world just shifted.”Today, the band’s set list includes more than 40 staples of the ’90s rock era, with another 80 songs on their “to learn” list. From Pearl Jam to Green Day, every note hits with familiarity and raw energy.“We’ve got two rules,” Josh explained. “One, do we enjoy playing it? Two, can we play it well enough to sound like the original? If the answer’s yes to both, it goes on the list.”That approach has paid off. At Tap 3 in Spartanburg, one fan told Josh after the show, “Man, you took me back to riding around in my truck in 1995.” For the band, that’s the goal.
Not Just Nostalgia
MegaWish isn’t just about revisiting the past—it’s about creating experiences that connect people now. Audiences regularly include both 40-somethings reliving their youth and college kids experiencing the music for the first time.Josh saw that firsthand at a Smashing Pumpkins concert he attended with his daughter. “The crowd was split—half were 17-to-20-year-olds, and the other half were 40-to-60,” he said. “That’s exactly what we’re seeing at our shows too.”Even his daughter has become a fan. After a recent MegaWish performance, she sent him a text: “That was really cool tonight.” For Josh, that was proof they’re doing something right.
A Growing Legacy
MegaWish’s rise has also shined a light on the Upstate’s need for more live music venues. While spots like Tap Three provide space for local acts, Josh believes there’s room for more. “The talent and the audience are here,” he said. “We just need more stages.”Still, the band isn’t slowing down. With nearly 30 shows on the calendar this year and a fan base that grows with every performance, MegaWish is quickly becoming the go-to band for anyone craving the spirit of the ’90s.“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” Josh said. “We just want to bring people back to that feeling—the energy, the sound, the memories. And so far, everybody loves it.”
Author: Tracy Sanders
