DD VERNI & THE CADILLAC BAND’s Album ‘Buckle Up’ And Lyric Video For ABBA Cover “So Long” Out Today

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

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