LI's new fab four

Young, stylish and a hit with the girls, Push Play sets its sights on the big time

BY RAFER GUZMÁN | rafer.guzman@newsday.com

April 15, 2008

The band Push Play. From left: C.J. Baran, Nick DeTurris, Derek Ries and Steve Scarola. (Newsday / David L. Pokress)

Cute boys, catchy tunes, cool clothes.

It's a formula that has worked for bands since before The Beatles, through the days of *NSYNC and right up to the present. And four Long Island teenagers are hoping that formula will work for them.

The band, Push Play, has a local fan base of mostly young girls and a MySpace page that recently racked up a million hits. Creative Artists Agency, the behemoth talent firm, recently began working with the band. On Saturday, Push Play headlines the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, and on April 26 - in what may be a first for a local act with no label - the band performs at the Nokia Theatre Times Square.

Not bad, considering Push Play formed only two years ago. Lead singer CJ Baran, 18, who grew up in Dix Hills but now lives in Melville, met bassist Nick DeTurris, also 18, in middle school and formed a short-lived group called Kaution - "mostly for fun," DeTurris said. Eventually they met guitarist Steve Scarola, 17, and drummer Derek Ries, who turned 19 last week, at Cloud 9 Recording Studios in Islandia, and the four became Push Play.

Finding common ground

Despite their disparate tastes - DeTurris is a fan of local emo heroes Brand New, while Ries cites Steely Dan as a favorite - the boys found common ground in the mainstream pop-rock heard on their debut album, "Deserted." It's tuneful, upbeat and guitar-based, with glimmers of vocal harmony. "We chose the sound just because it's what people like," DeTurris said. "We all enjoy playing it and people enjoy listening to it."

Music is one part of the picture; fashion is another. While popular bands like Fall Out Boy go for teen casual wear like hoodies and Converse sneakers, Push Play favors a flashy, almost European style: suits with ties, skinny jeans with vests, colorful shoes with patterned laces.

"When you're on the stage, you don't want to look like the people in the crowd," CJ Baran said. "So we decided to step it up a notch."

Behind Push Play stands Sue Baran, CJ's mother and the band's manager - "the momager," as guitarist Scarola calls her. Baran is a newcomer to the music industry, but as the owner of several real-estaterelated companies, she's proven to be a fast study.

Raising money for charity

It was Baran who printed up thousands of Push Play promotional cards, which the boys handed out at concerts by Good Charlotte, Aly & AJ and other tween-oriented artists. And it was her idea to launch the "Push Play for a Purpose" tour, in which the band played high schools and other venues to raise money for charities. Though ticket sales went wholly to the causes, Baran turned a profit by selling posters, T-shirts and hoodies. And after manning the merchandising booth a few times, she discovered more ways to maximize sales.

"It dawned on me only recently that I haven't been able to sell the posters because of the promo cards," which the band was giving away, she said. "So the last couple of concerts, I removed the promo cards. And then I would sell out the posters at five bucks a poster."

Recently, she said, at least one major label offered Push Play a deal, offering merchandising, marketing and a contract with a top booking agency. Baran's response: "Tell me something we don't have and maybe I'll think about it."

But the boys of Push Play aren't thinking much about business; they're excited to start a U.S. tour in summer. The plan: "To rock the hearts of teenage girls around the world," said CJ Baran, with a smile that just might do the trick.

or visit patchoguetheatre.com.

Who's who in Push Play

CJ Baran, 18, lead vocals: Designs his own suits, loves the band Cartel and hopes to attend New York University. Favorite food: pizza.

Steve Scarola, 17, guitar: Can also play piano, drums and tuba. Switched to guitar to get more girls, but has been dating the same one for four years.

Nick DeTurris, 18, bass: Joined his first band, Kaution, with Baran before knowing how to play the instrument. Loves fast food, Brand New and the movie "Anchorman."

Derek Ries, 19, drums: The band's resident fashionista favors sunglasses, skinny ties and Dolce & Gabbana sneakers. Goes by the handle "D-ROCK."

-RAFER GUZMÁN

WHEN&WHERE Push Play performs at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $18, Call 631-207-1313 or visit patchoguetheatre.com.