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.]

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.”

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