Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters
All Damn Day
Watching Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters is one of the most understated nights of entertainment you can enjoy. They are all killer, no filler. They approach the music as if it’s just a matter of fact that this is what they do, but their music is much more than just some good old fashion southern rock. The only matter of fact thing about Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters at this point is that they make beautiful music and they are going to keep getting better at it.
The first time I heard Nick Dittmeier was with Slithering Beast on the album Werewolf Ballads. It was easy to see then, probably a decade ago, that Nick was a unique songwriter and singer. He approaches everything a little differently, but there is very little doubt that his approach is 100% his own. He’s sounded unapologetically like Nick Dittmeier for a long time now, the only difference now is on All Damn Day he may have perfected it.
All Damn Day starts off with a bang. The mid-temp rocker “Love Me Like You Did” is as catchy as it is relatable (for some of us anyway). The story of looking back on an ex as being a better fit for you than your current partner isn’t a new one, the grass is always greener on the other side right? The main character here is aware of how wrong he may be when he croons, “oh you’d say I’ve lost my mind, when you’re hindsight is 20/20, but it’s probably pitch black blind.” The real story with this song however, is just how fucking great it sounds. The guitars float throughout the track in the perfect spot, just under Nick’s voice. Speaking of Nick’s voice, this may be the best he’s ever sounded.
For me, Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters are at their absolute best when they jump into their uptempo honky tonk/rock jams. “Can’t Go Home” is an absolute ear worm, and more importantly than that, you’ve gotta move your feet to it. It’s short, catchy pop that clocks in at 2:14. It comes in, makes you fall in love and then leaves while you still want more. This song is permanently in my honky tonk playlist.
Nick and the boys are more than just country, honky tonk, or southern rock. There are also tracks like “Trouble Song” that is top notch swamp rock, or “Two Faded Carnations” a singer-songwriter tear jerker. Honestly, if you’ve recently had a death in your family “Two Faded Carnations” is a rough one. It’s either exactly what you need, or a song you should completely avoid. Music is about making you feel something, and Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters are certainly capable of doing that. All Damn Day has the potential to make you laugh, cry, dance, or maybe even play a couple hours of Red Dead Redemption 2. All I know is it’s a matter of fact that Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters are a treasure to Kentuckiana. If you’re not on their hype train now get on it now before somebody masks up and robs it.
Listen to All Damn Day below in its entirety via Bandcamp — the album is also streaming on Spotify.