Voodoo Cadillac

The song "Voodoo Cadillac" by Southern Culture On The Skids from their 1995 album Dirt Track Date is a swampy, rockabilly anthem that captures the band’s signature blend of Southern grit and playful irreverence. One piece of trivia about the song comes from its sonic resemblance to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Run Through the Jungle," with its distinctive guitar tone leading some listeners to initially mistake it for a cover. A blogger on Discursive Drummer's Auditory Expedition noted this similarity, highlighting how the song’s bluesy, bayou-inspired vibe reflects the title’s nod to New Orleans voodoo culture. The track’s lyrics, which paint a vivid picture of cruising “up the Mississippi down to New Orleans” with Tony Joe White on the radio, evoke a carefree, rebellious spirit, complete with references to meeting a love interest in a used car lot while “drinkin’ cheap wine and throwin’ rocks.”

Another interesting tidbit about "Voodoo Cadillac" is its role in the band’s breakthrough. Featured on Dirt Track Date, the song helped propel the album to sell over a quarter-million copies, a major success for the band after signing with Geffen’s DGC label. According to Encyclopedia.com, the song’s swamp-rock groove became a radio hit, boosting the band’s visibility. Its infectious energy also made it a staple in their live performances, as evidenced by recordings like the 1996 Union Station show in St. Louis, available on Internet Archive, where it kicked off the setlist with a raucous cowbell-driven intro. Fans on Reddit have praised the song’s gritty charm, with posts on subreddits like r/90smusic and r/bluesrock celebrating its place in the ‘90s rock landscape.

Southern Culture On The Skids, often abbreviated as SCOTS, was formed in 1983 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, by guitarist and lead vocalist Rick Miller. Miller, who grew up splitting time between Henderson, North Carolina, and southern California, brought a unique perspective to the band, influenced by his art degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The band’s early lineup included Miller, Stan Lewis on vocals, Leslie Land on bass, and Chip Shelby on drums. Their debut EP, Voodoo Beach Party, was released in 1984, followed by a self-titled album in 1985 on the indie label Lloyd Street. The band’s name, as Miller explained in a Wikipedia entry, came from a reaction to hearing REM described as “the sound of the new South” on UNC radio. Miller and his roommate preferred the raw, unpolished vibe of the South “on the skids,” inspiring the band’s moniker and their embrace of a gritty, genre-blending sound.

After early releases, the band faced a lack of direction, leading to a lineup change in 1987 when Lewis and Land departed. Miller took over lead vocals, and Mary Huff joined on bass and vocals, bringing her Roanoke, Virginia, roots to the mix. Huff recommended drummer Dave Hartman, also from Roanoke, and this trio—Miller, Huff, and Hartman—has remained the core of SCOTS for over 30 years. Their music evolved into a “swamp rock thing,” blending rockabilly, surf, country, blues, and R&B with a tongue-in-cheek nod to Southern trailer-park culture. This distinctive style gained traction through relentless touring and indie releases before their major-label debut with Dirt Track Date. The band’s DIY ethos persisted, with later albums like The Kudzu Ranch released on their own Kudzu Records, reflecting their commitment to creative control.

Fans can connect with Southern Culture On The Skids through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour dates, merchandise, and glimpses of their high-energy live shows. The band’s Bandcamp page also offers music and live recordings, including versions of "Voodoo Cadillac." For fan communities, the Southern Culture On The Skids Fan Club on Facebook is a hub for “Zoo Freaks” to discuss the band, share concert photos, and celebrate their eclectic discography. While no other prominent fan websites stand out, the band’s active social media presence keeps their cult following engaged, ensuring the spirit of songs like "Voodoo Cadillac" continues to resonate.