DATE: SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND’S
ALBUM ‘BUCKLE UP’
OUT TODAY (SEPTEMBER 19) VIA DEKO
LYRIC VIDEO FOR
ABBA COVER “SO LONG”
DEBUTS LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE
AND WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

GROUP ANNOUNCES DECEMBER 6 DATE
AS PART OF THE “BUCKLE UP” TOUR

Q&A WITH DD VERNI
FOLLOWS

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND have today (September 19) rolled out a lyric video for their cover of ABBA’s “So Long,” coinciding with today’s unveiling of the album BUCKLE UP on DEKO. The song was the first single from ABBA, the group’s self-titled album 1974 album, and DD was inspired to cover one of their songs based on his love of the Swedish superstars. “They just write such great catchy songs,” DD says. “I recently went to see ‘Mamma Mia’ on Broadway, and it was just amazing. I think of ABBA as fun and energetic music that’s catchy the very first time you hear it. I really love music like that, and that’s what I really strive for in my writing.” Listen to the song HERE and watch the video HERE. Read more from DD at the Q&A below.

For the group’s second album BUCKLE UP, DD and the band marry rock ‘n roll’s visceral energy and succinct songwriting to suave, swinging throwback arrangements and aesthetics. DD makes big band music more accessible and relatable than ever on the 14-track album. “So Long” follows the album’s previously released singles, “Two Of A Kind” (August 22) and “Lucky 13” (July 18). The album’s full track listing is below.

“This is timeless, fun music. And for me, in a world that seems so chaotic every day, it’s a joy to have something that’s just plain fun, simple and energetic, DD says. To just leave your troubles behind, grab a drink and your girl and go out to a show like ours and have fun! Hoping to get to your town later in the year with the band!…and bring some of that energy.”

ALBUM ARTWORK

In support of the new album, DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND have announced the first date of the “Buckle Up” Tour set for Saturday, December 6 at the House Of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ.

“All the work writing, recording, videos etc. is to one end…to start playing shows!” DD says. “Very excited to bring the guys (and gals) into Asbury Park for our first show in support of BUCKLE UP. It’s around Christmas time so there will be some holidays songs added, as well as songs from both records, and of course, some surprises. Psyched to see everyone down there!”

Here’s the BUCKLE UP track listing:

Lucky 13
If U Wanna Dance
Hey Mr. DJ
I Can Be Most Anything
Devil Dance
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
These Days
Not That Kind of a Guy
So Long
Just Like Magic to Me
Let’s Go Crazy
Man With the Golden Arm
Two of a Kind
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

DD VERNI
Q&A

DD VERNI, Photo Credit: Nick Wolf

Q: How do you balance your role in Overkill with leading a rocking big band? That’s a lot to have on your plate.

DD: I like to be busy basically. I don’t like chaos, I mean who does, but I do like having my hands in a few different buckets. I am a creative person, and weather it’s Cadillac Band or Overkill, or writing of even doing manager types of things, I like to mix it all up. I have been doing it so long I have a pretty good handle on things and a great group of people around me I have found over the years. And I make sure I don’t get too burned out, when things start to pile up too much, I just kind of back off and spend some time relaxing. I am very aware of burn out and always make sure I don’t get to that point.

Q: If you were to record a duet with a current artist outside the genres of music for which you’re known, who might that be, and which song would you cover and why?

DD: That’s tough because that would change week to week. And what genre, Metal? Big Band?  Swing?  I have my hands in a few. But The first to come to mind is Imelda May. She is an Irish singer and she is just amazing. Total attitude, but a voice that is amazing. She does absolutely beautiful types of ballads, but then can rock it up amazingly as well, she’s beautiful…I mean I am a big fan. If I had to pick a song it would probably be something a little more rocking, maybe “Mony Mony,” or how about an old Dropkick Murphys tune like “The Boys are Back,” get some Big Band horns on that and her singing with that Irish attitude. I would love that

Q: Can you talk about any books or films that have helped shape your sensibility as an artist?

DD: One of my favorite movies ever is “Castaway” with Tom Hanks. I mean for 45 minutes there is no dialog, just him trying to figure out how is he going to survive. And another favorite is The “Martian,” which my wife has pointed out is basically the same movie, stranded on Mars trying to figure out how to survive.  So maybe being in the music business for 40 years, there is some kind of correlation. Feeling alone/stranded and trying to survive as an artist/songwriter, especially when all the odds are against you to survive it.

Q: Which famous historical event would you like to have witnessed and why?

DD: Ya know when I see this question the first thing I think about is sports. I am a big sports fan, especially football. So, I think about maybe the first Super Bowl, or when Muhammad Ali beat Sonny Liston, or seeing Jackie Robinson play would have been amazing. Being at the old Polo grounds and watching Frank Gifford play for the Giants…I would have loved all that!

Q: Have you had a “Spinal Tap” moment in your career so far and can you describe it?

DD: Oh jeez, my god so many.  Who hasn’t. I mean you play in a band long enough; they all happen to you.  Just like in the movie I mean how many times have we not been able to find the stage and wandering around in corridors trying.  Or malfunction of props, and pyro etc etc during a show I mean countless times.  The ones that always stick out and I’m sure it has happened to a million bands if, you find out the house lights went down, the crowd cheered, the intro tape ran, fog rolled out on stage it all built to this huge entrance for the band…and were sitting on the bus.  No one has any idea the show even started etc etc.  House lights come back on, someone started the show not realizing the band wasn’t even in the building yet…awful!

Q: Do you have any rituals on your own, or with the band, before hitting the stage to psych yourself up?

DD: Well, honestly, I don’t need to psych myself up, I’m kind always ready mentally to go!  But the rituals more lately have just been about physically being ready. I recently had three different surgeries on my playing shoulder, so I’m really aware of that. I have to make sure I’m good and taped up, and that I do exercises–arm circles, etc etc–to make sure I don’t put too much strain on that too quick and for too long, otherwise I am in danger of tearing the ligament completely off the bone again…and a third time would be rough. So more that kind thing.

Q: Which two bands would you like to be on a dream bill with and why?

DD: Well again, metal? Big Band?  Etc…hard to pick.  First thing that comes to mind is AC/DC.  I mean with Overkill we have been with almost everyone, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Deep Purple all my hero’s…but never did anything with AC/DC…so I would love that. And with Cadillac Band I would love to do some shows with Rod Stewart, or jeez how about [Brian] Setzer!! I mean his band is awesome, that would really be something to do! For some reason I think Cadillac Band would be great with Cheap Trick!…one of my all-time favs, so we’ll see.

Q: Is there a song you crank up on Friday night to kick off the weekend—and a song you kick back with on a Sunday morning?

DD: Ya know I don’t really listen to music with a “mood” in mind.  It could be a lazy Sunday morning, sitting on the beach with a coffee and I’m blaring Slayer, I just listen to what I like, the mood for some reason doesn’t much matter to me.  I mean I’ll work out with Bobby Darin on; it doesn’t have to be aggressive but sometimes is…

Q: What was the last meal you cooked for yourself?

DD: Well, I generally do all the cooking at my house, so I am very used to making meals. But the last one I made was calzone pie, with meatballs and a salad. I make a lot of Italian food. My Mom was a great cook and we have a lot of her recipes. And around this time of year, we have football on Sundays, and every Sunday for most of my life my Mom made a big pot of gravy and meatball/spaghetti, or manicotti etc…so every Sunday is Italian food for me if a I can.

Q: What advice would you give now to your younger self?

DD: To take more time to look around and enjoy the moment. The younger me was so anxious to get to the next exciting thing that I didn’t spend as much time taking it all in as I could have. It’s like driving a car somewhere and never looking out the side windows, only looking forward…ya miss stuff.  But try telling that to a young musician hahaha…I think that comes with age.

Connect with DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND at:

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TikTok

SRO PR PRESS RELEASES AND ASSETS

CONTACT:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com

DATE: AUGUST 22, 2025

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND
RELEASE SECOND SINGLE
“TWO OF A KIND”
FEATURING THE
REVEREND HORTON HEAT’S JIM HEATH
TRACK IS THE LATEST SINGLE
FROM THE GROUP’S FORTHCOMING
‘BUCKLE UP’
ALBUM OUT SEPTEMBER 19 VIA DEKO

LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE
AND WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

SINGLE ARTWORK

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND have today (August 22) released the second single “Two Of A Kind” from their upcoming album BUCKLE UP, which marries rock ‘n roll’s visceral energy and succinct songwriting to suave, swinging throwback arrangements and aesthetics. “Two Of A Kind” notably features the Reverend Horton Heat’s Jim Heath. The song, written by Walden Cassotto and Johnny Mercer, was originally featured on Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer’s 1961 Two of a Kind album. Listen to the song HERE and watch the video HERE.

“Doing this song with the great Jim Heath was just a a blast!” DD says. “Total pro, he came it and we just hit it off, laughing telling stories etc. It’s funny to have two people from totally different backgrounds—I’m an Italian guy from New Jersey, and he’s a southern guy from Texas—-to share a love for some of the same kind of music just speaks to the power of great songs.”

DD continues, “I first saw Reverend Horton Heat up in Mass, they were doing the show the night before Overkill was playing the NEMHF and I was blown away.  Just a great band and a great guitar player.  We had never met, I called him completely out of the blue and said I would love you to do this song with you, and he graciously said let’s do to.  I came to find out he was a big Johnny Mercer fan and I am a big Bobby Darin fan so it just seemed a great match. We actually met the first time at the video shoot itself!…up until then it had been phone calls and texts.”

“I’m so glad DD asked me to do this duet of ‘Two of a Kind’” Jim Heath says. “The original version by Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer really speaks to me. When I listened back to my part, singing the Johnny Mercer part, I realized that I kind of sound like Johnny Mercer! I guess that all of those old J. Mercer records my parents played really rubbed off on me—why fight it? I’m thrilled to be on this recording and thrilled to be in the video. It’s an honor to be included with DD and such skilled musicians, recording engineers, and videographers.”

Heath adds, “Working with DD was great. DD Verni and the Cadillac Band have a unique take on swing music, and I think it’s pretty ingenious. The song is cool, and the arrangement is solid with heavy-hitter musicians. Then, when we did the video, during the breaks, I got to talk with DD at length about our careers and discovered that we have a lot in common. Our careers and lives kind of run parallel and there are many shared experiences.”

On BUCKLE UP, out September 19 via DEKO, DD makes big band music more accessible and relatable than ever on the 14-track album. “Two Of A Kind” follows the album’s first track “Lucky 13” (released July 18). Listen to the song HERE and watch the video HERE. Pre-order the album HERE. [The album’s full track listing is below.]

ALBUM ARTWORK

BUCKLE UP brings the storm-the-stage ethic of Overkill to DD’s lifelong love of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Fats Domino and, more recently, the Brian Setzer Orchestra. BUCKLE UP picks up and goes further than their exciting 2021 debut album Let’s Rattle, on which DD sang and played red hot guitar. BUCKLE UP retains all its predecessor’s verve and vitality while adding more evolved horn arrangements written by Jim McMillen, known for his work on TV’s “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Bridgerton,” and with Grammy-winning artists Christina Aguilera and Ricky Kej.

“When I’m writing and demoing these songs, it’s just a guitar and me,” DD explained. “And they should be able to have that energy with just that, before anything else is added.”

Indeed, DD’s fun-first rocker’s approach and robust songcraft has attracted a who’s-who of musicians to the Cadillac Band, intrigued by its stylistic nuances and go-for-broke ethos. BUCKLE UP features longtime Brian Setzer drummer Bernie Dresel and slap bassist Johnny Hatton; horn players with Paul McCartney’s band and The Eagles; pianist Or Matias (Josh Groban/Broadway music director); guitarist Angus Clark (Trans-Siberian Orchestra); and backing vocals by acclaimed pop-rock duo Kingston and GreyStarr. Recorded in New Jersey and Los Angeles, BUCKLE UP was produced by DD and mixed by Michael Frondelli (Billy Idol, Pat Benatar etc.)

“So psyched for you to hear round two!” DD says. “I worked with so many great people on the last record I couldn’t wait to do another. BUCKLE UP means just what it says…this record brings together all of the experiences I got writing and recording the first record, as well and the shows we did to support it, and takes it to a new level.

“This is timeless, fun music. And for me, in a world that seems so chaotic every day, it’s a joy to have something that’s just plain fun, simple and energetic. To just leave your troubles behind, grab a drink and your girl and go out to a show like ours and have fun! Hoping to get to your town later in the year with the band!…and bring some of that energy.”

DD VERNI, Photo Credit: Nick Wolf

Here’s the BUCKLE UP track listing:
Lucky 13
If U Wanna Dance
Hey Mr. DJ
I Can Be Most Anything
Devil Dance
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
These Days
Not That Kind of a Guy
So Long
Just Like Magic to Me
Let’s Go Crazy
Man With the Golden Arm
Two of a Kind
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Connect with DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND at:

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TikTok

SRO PR PRESS RELEASES AND ASSETS

CONTACT:
SRO PR
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND
TO RELEASE SECOND ALBUM
‘BUCKLE UP’
SEPTEMBER 19 VIA DEKO

ALBUM LAUNCHES TODAY WITH FIRST SINGLE/VIDEO
“LUCKY 13”
LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE

AND WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

On their upcoming second album, BUCKLE UP, DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND make big band music more accessible and relatable than ever before, marrying rock ‘n roll’s visceral energy and succinct songwriting to suave, swinging throwback arrangements and aesthetics. Out September 19 via DEKO, the 14-track album launches today (July 18) with the first single/video “Lucky 13.” Listen to the song HERE and watch the video HERE. Pre-order the album HERE. [The album’s full track listing is below.]

As the album’s opener “Lucky 13” sets the tone for the album, its blazing riff, blistering guitar solo and rapturous horns complemented by a similarly irresistible video featuring the full 13-piece band.

“This was the first song I had written for this new album and kinda set the tone,” says DD, primarily known as bassist/songwriter with thrash metal pioneers Overkill. “Everything the band is about, cool riffs, great horn arrangements by Jim McMillen.  Really wanted the first song and video to let people know again where the heart of the band is.” For the video, he adds, “This is really where this music comes alive…on stage!  I can just feel the energy and vibe.  So fun to be a part of!  This was a really fun day, lots of laughs with a good bunch of guys and gals.”

“I was watching ‘Casino’ or maybe an old Dean Martin movie,” DD adds of the song’s inspiration. “I love the idea of being at the craps table with your girl and she’s blowing on the dice, you’re having a few drinks, and your buddies are around. You really don’t care whether you win or lose–you just want to be with the girl!”

BUCKLE UP brings the storm-the-stage ethic of Overkill to DD’s lifelong love of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Fats Domino and, more recently, the Brian Setzer Orchestra. BUCKLE UP picks up and goes further than their exciting 2021 debut album Let’s Rattle, on which DD sang and played red hot guitar. BUCKLE UP retains all its predecessor’s verve and vitality while adding more evolved horn arrangements written by Jim McMillen, known for his work on TV’s “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Bridgerton,” and with Grammy-winning artists Christina Aguilera and Ricky Kej.

“When I’m writing and demoing these songs, it’s just a guitar and me,” DD explained. “And they should be able to have that energy with just that, before anything else is added.”

Indeed, DD’s fun-first rocker’s approach and robust songcraft has attracted a who’s-who of musicians to the Cadillac Band, intrigued by its stylistic nuances and go-for-broke ethos. BUCKLE UP features longtime Brian Setzer drummer Bernie Dresel and slap bassist Johnny Hatton; horn players with Paul McCartney’s band and The Eagles; pianist Or Matias (Josh Groban/Broadway music director); guitarist Angus Clark (Trans-Siberian Orchestra); and backing vocals by acclaimed pop-rock duo Kingston and GreyStarr. Recorded in New Jersey and Los Angeles, BUCKLE UP was produced by DD and mixed by Michael Frondelli (Billy Idol, Pat Benatar etc.)

“So psyched for you to hear round two!” DD says. “I worked with so many great people on the last record I couldn’t wait to do another. BUCKLE UP means just what it says…this record brings together all of the experiences I got writing and recording the first record, as well and the shows we did to support it, and takes it to a new level.

“This is timeless, fun music. And for me, in a world that seems so chaotic every day, it’s a joy to have something that’s just plain fun, simple and energetic. To just leave your troubles behind, grab a drink and your girl and go out to a show like ours and have fun! Hoping to get to your town later in the year with the band!…and bring some of that energy.”

DD VERNI, Photo Credit: Nick Wolf

Here’s the BUCKLE UP track listing:

Lucky 13
If U Wanna Dance
Hey Mr. DJ
I Can Be Most Anything
Devil Dance
Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
These Days
Not That Kind of a Guy
So Long
Just Like Magic to Me
Let’s Go Crazy
Man With the Golden Arm
Two of a Kind
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Connect with DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND at:

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TikTok

SRO PR PRESS RELEASES AND ASSETS

CONTACT:

SRO PR
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com

DATE SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND
TO RELEASE THEIR DEBUT ALBUM
‘LET’S RATTLE’
SEPTEMBER 17
ON THE HEELS OF TWO SINGLES + VIDEOS,
“CADILLAC MAN” AND “OLIVIA…THAT’S WHO!”

NEW + ORIGINAL SWINGIN’ AND ROCKIN’ BIG-BAND MUSIC
FROM THE SONGWRITER/FOUNDING MEMBER AND BASSIST
FOR HEAVY METAL PIONEERS OVERKILL

BAND GEARING UP TO PERFORM FIRST-EVER LIVE SHOW
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30
AT THE VOGEL (COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS)
IN RED BANK, NJ
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Look for D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND to release their debut album LET’S RATTLE September 17 (via MVD) on the heels of two singles + videos, “Cadillac Man” and “Olivia…that’s Who!”. Expect high-energy original swingin’ and rockin’ big-band sound from D.D. VERNI, the songwriter/founding member/bassist for heavy metal pioneers Overkill who’ve sold millions of records worldwide and have released 19 studio albums dating back to their 1985 debut album. Pre-order the album here, or pre-save the album here.

The band filmed the video for “Cadillac Man,” the album’s first single, at the Vogel (Count Basie Center for the Arts) in Red Bank, NJ, where they’ll perform their first-ever show on Saturday, October 30 Tickets are on sale now.

“We have our first show coming up and we’re very excited!” says D.D. “The more you move through life the less firsts there are, so I am pumped for this first-ever show. I’m now putting together a band that will feature a bunch of the same musicians from the ‘Cadillac Man’ video, with rehearsals this month and next. The show will feature most songs off ‘Let’s Rattle’ as well as a handful of classic rock and roll songs.  I think people are very curious and they’re not exactly sure what to expect…just like me!  But that’s half the fun–all I know is we’ll do our best to blow the roof off the joint.”

The set list at the Vogel will be comprised of songs from the album including its second single, “Olivia…that’s Who!” of which D.D. says: “While the song is about my daughter, I think it speaks to anyone who has a bubbly outgoing spirited girl in their life,” says D.D. “It could be your mom, wife or girlfriend.” Read an interview with D.D. about the album here.

LET’S RATTLE is the result of VERNI’s longtime dream of recording a big band album, as his love for the sound dates back many years. The New Jersey-based artist began by writing a fantastic collection of soon-to-be big band classics. Next he recruited longtime Brian Setzer Orchestra upright bassist, John “Spazz” Hatton, to do horn arrangements and play upright bass, while bass player D.D. switched things up playing some guitar on the album. Then D.D. brought in the LA based horn section from Phat Cat Swinger to play the horns and added Brian Setzer Orchestra drummer and current Doobie Brothers member, Tony Pia. Add jazz pianist Dave Moscoe and Hot Rod guitarist Damian Bacci, and you have a star-studded line-up of big band greatness that made this album shake and swing.

With songs like “Cadillac Man,” “Shake It Swing It” and “Olivia…that’s Who!” the album features 13 tracks (nine originals and four covers), was produced by VERNI and mixed by Greg Reely (Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Overkill), and recorded in Los Angeles and New Jersey.

“Powerhouse,” another highlight from LET’S RATTLE, will also be performed at the upcoming show. “I was not even aware that was the name of the song,” says D.D.   “But everybody knows the riff from the old ‘Looney Tunes’ cartoons.  When the factory starts up at the Flockheed Eggcraft factory and all the chickens are laying eggs, or a number of other different times when it was used through Warner Bros cartoons, ‘Road Runner’ and ‘Wile E. Coyote.’ etc.  And I remembered that Blitz [Overkill’s lead vocalist] had suggested to me that maybe we could somehow use that as an Overkill intro tape, but I couldn’t think of a way.  But it stayed with me as I feel like that’s the song that runs in my head all the time–hahaha.  I have a lot going on, always busy, so it suited me.  After I researched it some, I learned it was a Raymond Scott song–and as I listened, I said it’s such a great riff, I wished there was more of it or some lyrics. And then got the idea to just add to it and change the arrangement until it felt a little bit more like a song rather than just an instrumental.  So I kept all the bit’s I like the best and added the female backing vocals to the riff part.  I wanted to keep the title so I wrote the lyrics from there.  I decided the ‘Powerhouse’ should be the devil and wound up writing lyrics about selling your soul to the lady in red, knowing it was not the right thing to do, but knowing you would do it again.”

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

###

The track listing for LET’S RATTLE is:

Cadillac Man
Shake It Swing It
Give Me Your Number
Olivia…That’s Who!
Powerhouse
Cold Hearted Woman
School Of Rock n’ Roll
L-O-V-E
Just Say U Love Me
Manhattan Baby
Close Your Eyes and Dream
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head
The One Who Loves You

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

###

DATE: AUGUST 18, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND
SHARE “OLIVIA…THAT’S WHO!”
THE SECOND SINGLE + VIDEO
FROM THEIR DEBUT ALBUM
‘LET’S RATTLE’ OUT SEPTEMBER 17
NEW + ORIGINAL SWINGIN’ AND ROCKIN’ BIG-BAND MUSIC
FROM THE SONGWRITER/FOUNDING MEMBER AND BASSIST
FOR HEAVY METAL PIONEERS OVERKILL
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
LISTEN TO THE SINGLE HERE
AND READ INTERVIEW WITH D.D BELOW

BAND TO PERFORM FIRST -EVER LIVE SHOW
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30
AT THE VOGEL(COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS)
IN RED BANK, NJ
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND today (August 18) unveil “Olivia…that’s Who!” the second single and video from their debut album LET’S RATTLE, due out September 17 (via MVD). As with the album’s lead single and video “Cadillac Man,” the new single underlines the high-energy original swingin’ and rockin’ big-band sound from D.D. VERNI, the songwriter/founding member/bassist for heavy metal pioneers Overkill who’ve sold millions of records worldwide and have released 19 studio albums dating back to their 1985 debut album. Listen to the song, which D.D. wrote about his daughter Olivia, here and watch the quick moving video, comprised of storyboard illustrations, here. Pre-order the album here or pre-save the album here

“While the song is about my daughter, I think it speaks to anyone who has a bubbly outgoing spirited girl in their life,” says D.D. “It could be your mom, wife or girlfriend. And I think the drawings capture the spirit of the song. The song lyric says “There’s always enough love to go round” and I think that’s the spirit of the song and the drawings. It’s about how a girl like that in your life can brighten your day and make things always seem OK.” Read more quotes about the song and video below.

LET’S RATTLE is the result of VERNI’s longtime dream of recording a big band album, as his love for the sound dates back many years. The New Jersey-based artist began by writing a fantastic collection of soon-to-be big band classics. Next he recruited longtime Brian Setzer Orchestra upright bassist, John “Spazz” Hatton, to do horn arrangements and play upright bass, while bass player D.D. switched things up playing some guitar on the album. Then D.D. brought in the LA based horn section from Phat Cat Swinger to play the horns and added Brian Setzer Orchestra drummer and current Doobie Brothers member, Tony Pia. Add jazz pianist Dave Moscoe and Hot Rod guitarist Damian Bacci, and you have a star-studded line-up of big band greatness that made this album shake and swing.

With songs like “Cadillac Man,” “Shake It Swing It” and “Olivia…that’s Who!” the album features 13 tracks (nine originals and four covers), was produced by VERNI and mixed by Greg Reely (Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Overkill), and recorded in Los Angeles and New Jersey.

In addition, D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND have confirmed their first-ever live show, Saturday, October 30 show at the Vogel (Count Basie Center for the Arts) in Red Bank, NJ, the same venue where they filmed the video for “Cadillac Man,” the album’s first single. Tickets are on sale now.

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

Q&A WITH D.D. VERNI ABOUT
THE “OLIVIA…THAT’S WHO!”: SINGLE + VIDEO

–For the “Olivia…that’s who!” video, what inspired you to have a video created with storyboard illustrations?

That was actually my wife Lisa. She thought a storyboard following the lyrics etc. would be a cool idea for a video for that song. I had worked on many projects with an illustrator named Gery Nible for years and she suggested I call him. So I reached out and he was very excited about the idea. We went back and forth on a bunch of ideas and character development, what people should look like and the style/tone for it. I would get sketches from Gery and I would send to Lisa and she would send to Olivia hahaha…so it was a fun project to work on. I really liked her storyboard idea, where it felt more like sketches rather than finished inked and color drawings. I am a comic book fan, as well as Pixar/Disney animated film fan. I have a ton of collectable toys and such from movies, so this was great chance to do a little of that with my own song. I had done an animated video a few records back and had so much fun doing it and this one was similar. Fun to see it come to life.

–How do you feel the video captures the spirit of the song?

While the song is about my daughter, I think it speaks to anyone who has a bubbly outgoing spirited girl in their life. It could be your mom, wife or girlfriend. And I think the drawings capture the spirit of the song. The song lyric says “There’s always enough love to go round” and I think that’s the spirit of the song and the drawings. It’s about how a girl like that in your life can brighten your day and make things always seem OK.

–Who directed the video and who did the illustrations?

The video was edited by Steven Bartashev who was the editor on the Cadillac Man video we just put out. I was really happy with how that turned out so I contacted him about doing this one as well. The illustrations were done by Gery Nible. As I said Gery is a friend who I have worked with on a bunch of projects before. We’ve done album art, t-shirts, all kinds of stuff. He has a similar DNA to mine as far as stuff we like and so the process of doing this was pretty easy. He really ran with the idea, I thought we could get by on a dozen or so drawings and I think it wound up more like 60+ . He even sent a video kind of walking us through it and his ideas which made it very easy to visualize what it would be like in the end.

–You’ve said that your second daughter Olivia told you: “‘where’s my song!’ and then on her 16^th birthday I wrote and recorded “Olivia…that’s who!” What does Olivia think of her song and the video (if she’s seen it)?

She loves it! For years she would run around and tell people she has her own theme song. Now she has a video to go along with it.

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The track listing for LET’S RATTLE is:

Cadillac Man
Shake It Swing It
Give Me Your Number
Olivia…That’s Who!
Powerhouse
Cold Hearted Woman
School Of Rock n’ Roll
L-O-V-E
Just Say U Love Me
Manhattan Baby
Close Your Eyes and Dream
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head
The One Who Loves You

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

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DATE: JULY 13, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN

D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND
TODAY SHARE “CADILLAC MAN,”
FIRST SINGLE + VIDEO FROM THEIR DEBUT ALBUM
‘LET’S RATTLE’ OUT SEPTEMBER 17

NEW + ORIGINAL SWINGIN’ AND ROCKIN’ BIG-BAND MUSIC
FROM THE SONGWRITER/FOUNDING MEMBER AND BASSIST
FOR HEAVY METAL PIONEERS OVERKILL

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
LISTEN TO THE SINGLE HERE
AND READ A Q&A BELOW

D.D. VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND today (July 13) share “Cadillac Man,” the first single and video from their debut album LET’S RATTLE out September 17 (via MVD). Expect high-energy original swingin’ and rockin’ big-band music from D.D. VERNI, the songwriter/founding member/bassist for heavy metal pioneers Overkill who’ve sold millions of records worldwide and have released 19 studio albums dating back to their 1985 debut album. Watch the video, filmed at the Vogel Theater in New Jersey and directed by Rich Furniss, produced by Adam Torkel and edited by Steven Bartashev, here and listen to the song here. Pre-order the album here or pre-save the album here and read a Q&A below.

VERNI has always dreamed of recording a big band album, as his love for the sound dates back many years. The New Jersey-based artist began by writing a fantastic collection of soon-to-be big band classics. Next he recruited longtime Brian Setzer Orchestra upright bassist, John “Spazz” Hatton, to do horn arrangements and play upright bass, while bass player D.D. switched things up playing some guitar on the album. Then D.D. brought in the LA based horn section from Phat Cat Swinger to play the horns and added Brian Setzer Orchestra drummer and current Doobie Brothers member, Tony Pia.  Add jazz pianist Dave Moscoe and Hot Rod guitarist Damian Bacci, and you have a star-studded line-up of big band greatness that made this album shake and swing.

With songs like “Cadillac Man,” “Shake It Swing It” and “Olivia…that’s Who!” the album features 13 tracks (nine originals and four covers), was produced by VERNI and mixed by Greg Reely (Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Overkill), and recorded in Los Angeles and New Jersey.

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

Q&A WITH D.D. VERNI

A lot of people are going to be really surprised that you’ve recorded an album fully embracing a big band sound with rockabilly and other early rock + pop stylings, particularly since you’re known as songwriter/founding member and bassist for OVERKILL. What inspired you to take this musical direction, sing lead vocals, and play guitar?

Yeah, I think it will be a bit of a shock to some people, but I have been a fan of this kind of music for a long time. The old Big Band standards were playing at my house when I was a kid. My dad was a big Sinatra fan, so I’m sure some of it’s from growing up with that and AM radio. And I always loved 50’s music and Doo Wop– Fats Domino, Jerry Lee, etc. And loved the crooners too–Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Tom Jones–and even in metal and rock: Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury, Glenn Danzig…all of the crooning type of vocalists I’ve always loved. And then I don’t know how long ago it was now, but when Brian Setzer put his big, band orchestra together the first time I thought, “this is amazing.” I never really understood why no one else was trying their hand at that. I mean there’s a thousand blues bands all in the same genre and doing their own thing with it, but almost no swing/jump blues/rock n roll type of bands. I had collected a lot of riffs and material through the years–I just put it aside thinking one day I’ll get to this and so with that in mind I just started writing the types of songs I liked best. High energy, tap your toes, get up outta your seat kind of songs. I’m not one for jazz really or even a country twang as some bands in the genre touch on, so I kept it moving and jumping even on the standards we recorded, because that’s really what I love best. I am a songwriter at heart; I have done all these records with Overkill, and also some side projects and was involved in writing a musical for a few years, so changing my head space is not such a big deal to me. I like what I like and as long as the energy is good, I can roll with it. Even with Overkill I’m not trying to be ultra-heavy, or ultra-punk…the only real line I follow is, “am I digging it?” and if the answer is “yes,” then I jump in. And I think the singing and playing guitar throws people a bit as well as I’m known as a bassist. But that’s part of the fun to stepping out and trying new stuff. I had been the vocalist on my solo album and was not such a stretch doing this. Although I learned a lot and have to say singing is not as easy as I once thought… hahaha. And I am not really an upright bass player, which I knew I wanted for this, so it just made sense to stay with the guitar.

As a songwriter having written nine of the 13 songs, this musical sound required a different mindset. How did you get yourself psyched up for it? It’s a different language of course than metal.

Ya know it is and it isn’t. Metal is about energy. Although a lot of the times it’s angry energy (hahaha)! But that’s why it is so great–to scream and yell and get it out. This music is about energy as well but really about joy and fun. All the lyrics are fun and upbeat. Some little stories–nothing politically motivated or ripped from the headlines. Just fun. Even when writing and shooting the video, you can see people are smiling and bouncing around. So that’s a cool headspace to be in when writing. That’s actually cool to be around anytime! Part of what I love about this record is that it’s fun! Especially after the last year that everyone has had, it would be easy to do an angry-as-hell record, but for me this is refreshing, like comfort food (hahaha)!

Of the album’s 13 songs, which ones are personal highlights for you and why?

Some of these songs have a long history, like the song “Manhattan Baby,” which is a kinda Louis Prima type of thing. I wrote and recorded that song 26 years ago when my first daughter was born–for her and my wife as a present. Then on my wife’s 50^th birthday, I wrote and recorded “Just Say You Love Me,” and gave her that as a present. And of course my second daughter Olivia was like, “where’s my song!” and then on her 16^th birthday I wrote and recorded “Olivia…that’s who!” So I had been toying with these kinds of songs for a very long time. Then when I started to see I had enough material to do a record, I started writing more material. And that’s where a song like “Cadillac Man” came from. Definitely one of my favorites and maybe the first one I specifically wrote for the album. It kind of encompasses all the different things I wanted for the record. Upbeat, a little rock n’ roll and little swing. “Shake It Swing It” I really love as well. Again, the energy in the song is great, really exactly what I was looking for as a foundation for the band. And “Close Your Eyes and Dream” was fun because it’s a bit different. Has that old 50’s tear-jerker vibe that the Ramones used to do too.

The performance video for “Cadillac Man” is instantly striking. Can you talk about the filming of it?

That was a really fun day! We did it right around when Covid was loosening up a bit. It was my first time on a stage and inside a venue in over a year, and even though it wasn’t a show, it felt like it some. I think you see that in the video and from everyone that was part of it. There’s a lot of smiling and fun and energy from the song itself, but I think the fact that we all were feeling so good about performing and having the band vibe again, it was great! When we were talking about doing the video, I really felt like it had to be a band performance thing. We could have come up with a great concept kind of video, but I think people needed to see the band playing to know that it’s a real band. That this is what they can expect to see when they come to a show. It was a challenge some because of all the Covid protocols. We weren’t sure which venue we could use, and with the mask mandates and all. Plus the band that played on the record was all over the country and we couldn’t bring them all in. First person I reached out to was John because he had been such a part of the whole album; I really felt like he needed to be there and he was up for it. Then I reached out to the girls who are local and they were up for it as well. I asked my friend Angus Clark who plays in Trans-Siberian Orchestra to be part of it; he was psyched and came down for the day. Then I spent a lot of time searching and calling local guys to be part of it. Funny how horn players are kind of a herd. One knows the other and then knows the other etc. Little by little, we filled in the band but you never know how the chemistry is till you start doing it. It was kind of amazing how everyone did gel. The director for the video thought we had been a band that had done a lot of touring, and I think it does come across that way. I had done a video for my solo record with a director Leigh Brooks from the UK and reached out to him about local directors etc. and he hooked us up with a team he had worked with from Brooklyn that he thought might be good. That was the thing; because of Covid, there was not going to be a lot of flying or bringing people in, the whole thing had to be local. But I spoke with Adam Steven and Ricky who were the team that did the video and they immediately got the vibe. Again, like the album and songs, I wanted a blend of things and some of the guys were metalheads so they understood the energy, and some were not, so they understood having it be more fun and upbeat. The whole band/album/songs etc. had been about the blend of swing and rock n roll and energy and fun. I told them that’s what I wanted to come across as the main ingredient. I like when things feel like a family atmosphere. That’s the way it’s been for me my whole life; I come from a very big Italian family. That’s the way it is with Overkill internally and with the fans and that’s the way I would want this to be as well. It’s just an extension of who I am.”

Might there be possible shows from DD Verni & the Cadillac Band in 2021 or 2022?

D.D.: I’m very excited to do some touring. We’re looking at possibilities now. Whether it be a support slot, headline shows, or even festivals, I think would be great. How about Paul Stanley and his Soul Band and DD Verni and his Swing Band on the same bill…hahahaha…awesome!!!

Have your bandmates in OVERKILL heard the album and what have they said about it?

D.D.: A few have…they think I’m nuts!

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The track listing for LET’S RATTLE is:

Cadillac Man
Shake It Swing It
Give Me Your Number
Olivia…That’s Who!
Powerhouse
Cold Hearted Woman
School Of Rock n’ Roll
L-O-V-E
Just Say U Love Me
Manhattan Baby
Close Your Eyes and Dream
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head
The One Who Loves You

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

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