Listen to This: The Push & Shove Takes a Big Rock Swig With “These Times”

If you do a search for Sean O’Connor, leader of new band the Push & Shove, the most likely results will be attached to his co-founding the local sparkling water brand Big Swig. Or perhaps even his creation of the much-loved Batter Blaster (featured on PBS’ Inventors series here). If the Push & Shove’s debut LP, The Rookie, is any indication though, O’Connor will soon be better known for his music than food and beverage.

Although O’Connor had a ninepiece band in college and has been active in music scenes in both Austin and his previous San Francisco hometown, the Push & Shove is really his first major endeavor onstage. And he’s recruited an impressive roster of local scene mainstays to fill out the sound, including brothers Rob and Claude Bernard (formerly of the Damnations and the Gourds, respectively); drummer Bill Corsello, who has served as GM of Emo’s and Antone’s Nightclub; and Will Tanner, owner of the Hole in the Wall and Long Play Lounge.

It would be tempting to slot the Push & Shove as more of a vanity project, but The Rookie kicks with gritty rock hooks and grooving Memphis-styled horns courtesy of members of Big Wy’s Brass Band. O’Connor’s vocals grind with a weary but hopeful edge, growling like Bruce Springsteen or Lucero behind lyrics co-written with Tony Mattioli.

“The band got together as friends,” offers O’Connor over email. “I coaxed them along with the promise of excellent meals at rehearsals. As far as what we can do with the band, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life so we’re gonna try hard and see what happens.”

The band has their official release show on Friday, June 2, at the Hole in the Wall with Solid Lines and the Wild Kindness opening. Get a taste of the new album with the pandemic howl of “These Times,” premiering below.