The world is rife with next big things, the majority of which come and go in a cloud left behind in hype and false hopes. Some build followings, left soon after to wallow for years in obscurity. There is occasionally the rare moment in time when hard work, perseverance and pursuing the simple path of artist development yields a viable, fan-fueled career that can last for decades. Push Play is on their way towards cementing their status as a band that has built their foundation via the latter.

Nothing is more important than the fan for this band of four. From the beginning, they have nurtured each and every voice of passion that acts as the fuel in this constantly expanding fan base which simply borders on phenomenon. Singer CJ Baran shares, “As a band, we have focused on building a relationship with the fans. One by one, we have prided ourselves in making the time to get to know them, on a personal level whenever possible.” Drummer Derek Ries adds, “They have been really loyal, and we try to make it a real experience for them. Push Play provides an intimacy in the fan experience from the moment we pull in to town, play the gig, and then interact with every one who came out after the show. It is all about them, and without their interest we ultimately have nothing.”

As the four unknowns left the confines of their comfort zone, they harnessed the power of the Internet to launch legions of supporters, delivering hordes of adoring fans in markets hundreds of miles from home. These regional fan clubs built a swell that across the board delivered packed houses with little or no radio play. As word spread, the passion bred a movement that was synonymous to a crusade, where the few became many. The band broke from obscurity in what simply equates to a viral tsunami.

Back home, the band’s absence from their local market allowed the legend to grow. The Long Island Press anointed Push Play “The Best Band on Long Island.” In New York City, the quartet sold-out Irving Plaza, leaving hundreds of fans on the streets unable to get in due to fire code. Soon after, they raised the ante, selling-out Times Square’s Nokia Theater --- a feat no other unsigned act has ever accomplished. Guitarist Steve Scarola shares, “It was an awesome experience to be able to play in a venue where we had seen a handful of shows. Being on the stage, as opposed to in the audience was incredible. To think that in 18 months we went from playing for friends and family to close to two thousand was an amazing moment for us.”

The members of Push Play grew up together on Long Island. As they turn childhood dreams of rock stardom in to reality, they are in this together as they have been from the beginning. Lead Singer and rhythm guitarist CJ Baran and lead guitarist Steve Scarola share duties on stage with the keyboards. The rhythm section is fueled by the talents of Nick DeTurris on bass and drummer Derek Ries. When asked about growing up together, DeTurris concedes, “When I first met CJ, our relationship grew around our interest in skateboarding. Now it is centered on music. He pushed me to get a bass, and that was the origin of this band coming together. Derek and Steve came along about three years ago, so we really have been building this for quite a while.” Baran continues, “In hindsight, this has worked out really well. Our individual personalities really click, and the fact that the four of us have distinct tastes in music, it seems to really work. We all know how lucky we are to have each other.”

As the band matures, the material has evolved with them coming of age. Gone are the cliché traps that come with lyrical impulses predictable from the juvenile perspective. In their place rises material that has more of a punch, and messages inspired from life experience. The band is still young, but filled with a perspective and clear vision of what they are after. Baran shares,”Success can be measured in aspiring to deliver the best qualities of those bands we respect the most. Muse is a role model for musicianship and showmanship. The Killers distinct style, sound and feel are their own, and we aim to reach the heights they bring to stage and life in general every day.”

The new material shows amazing growth for Push Play. The lead single, “Midnight Romeo” is the most scandalous song on the album. It centers around what is on the mind of every teenager in America offering, “You be the lock, I’ll be the key.” It doesn’t take much of an imagination to figure out the metaphor. Another track, “Start Again,” is a power ballad in the purest sense. The lyrical content is deep, offering the hopes of redemption in going back to the moment of indiscretion, where the mess-ups began. The tune “Heart Attack,” surrounds the feelings we all go through in a bad break-up ending on bad terms. They, and their peers, have all been there, and the tune is an anthem for the emotions teenagers learn to live with. Lastly, “Where I Belong” relates to the passage of time in missing someone, and ultimately learning to live with absence in one’s life. The material on the nationally distributed debut FOUND shares themes significant in the lives of the band’s fans and their own with insight surprisingly clear from four young men.

The four remain bright, young souls that are the epitome of professionalism. When engaging with them, adjectives that reflect their presence include charismatic, intelligent, vibrant, and simply inclusive. They might be a bit older, and a tad bit more dangerous, but they remain role models that you are not going to read about in the tabloids for missteps bred from irresponsible behavior. Push Play are the real deal, and odds are as the groundswell continues to grow, this moment in time will be looked upon as lift-off to a career encompassing worldwide stardom.