Band of the Week: The Push and Shove

By Harriet Bernard
Local Music Journalist 

With Austin being one of the most recognizable music capitals of the world, many artists – both young and old – find their way into its lively music scene. While some artists are just getting started with their music careers, others have been in the game for years. Austin-based The Push and Shove is a five-piece band. Coming from differing musical backgrounds, each of the five band members creates their unique sound utilizing genres like country, rock, jazz, and Americana.

The Push and Shove consist of lead singer and songwriter Sean O’Connor, along with bassist and owner of iconic Austin bar Hole in the Wall Will Tanner, lead guitarist and my uncle Rob Bernard, drummer Bill Coresello, and keyboardist and my father Claude Bernard. The group is an example of various talents and creative visions who come together to make music for the community.

It’s easy to say that these guys want to make music for the fun of it and for their families, who are all grown up and have missed seeing their dads up onstage. Being in college, it’s sometimes hard to come down to Austin to see them perform; my family and I make an effort to attend shows and post on social media to support them when we can.

Watching my dad and his brother come from other beloved Austin bands like The Gourds and The Damnations, it’s great to see them come together with their friends to create music that roots in the nostalgia of old times. Growing up surrounded by musicians and going to shows have been some of the best memories I have, so it is important to me to see those same people still doing what they love after all these years. Even though the city is always moving on from what it used to be, the local people will always appreciate the hidden gems their music scene offers.

Their debut album The Rookie, released in 2022, contains ten tracks mixed by Chris Daddio at Donut Time Audio and mastered across the country by Tess Greenham at Clearlight Mastering in Los Angeles. The LP’s mastering was assisted by Greenham’s father, John Greenham, who has worked with notable artists such as Lady Gaga, Girl In Red, and Del Water Gap. Though The Rookie has yet to be released on streaming platforms, you can still check out the band’s debut single, “Endlessly,” on Spotify now!

Highlights from the album include tracks such as “Hell Of A Year” and “These Times”  which celebrate how well the community has come together despite all that has happened over the past few years. With a horn trio, there is an uplifting vibe from all of the tracks that capture their audiences’ emotions when performing. One of my favorite songs is their first on the album “Play Me Something” because it’s upbeat and gives me a sense of nostalgia.

Because of the pandemic, The Push and Shove were unable to perform publicly but now perform local gigs regularly. Hole In The Wall has been their central stage since the beginning and brings in people from all over the city. The band first began playing a few gigs here and there in 2021 though their recent performance during SXSW certainly helped them gain traction. O’Connor often hosts rehearsals and makes dinner for the members and their families. The band makes it known that they wouldn’t be anywhere without their family and friends and with their support The Push and Shove are able to make music for Austinites and anyone who enjoys a little bit of everything.