Alternative Press Music Awards 2017

Cody Carson

So, it's that time of the year again. The APMAs are back! This year's host: Andy Black (or Biersack, which ever name you prefer) I'm sad that Jack and Alex aren't back for the 3rd year in a row, but it's said that they'll be there for a live performance! Other performers include Machine Gun Kelly, ONE OK ROCK, Sleeping with Sirens, and Pierce the Veil. Competition doesn't seem as tough as it did last year. I'm a bit disappointed with the nominees, but I still have my favorites. Nominees are:

Dean Butterworth

Best Vocalist: Ben Barlow- Neck Deep, Cody Carson- Set It Off, Derek DiScanio- State Champs, John O'Callaghan- The Maine, Keith Buckley- Every Time I Die, and Lynn Gunn. My choice for best vocalist is hands-down Cody Carson. That boy has an amazing, unique voice on record and live. I believe he has a strong chance at winning along with Derek and Ben.
Best Drummer: Arejay Hale- Halestorm, Aric Improta- Night Verses, Dean Butterworth- Good Charlotte, Frank Zummo- Sum41, Matt Mingus- Dance Gavin Dance, JP "Rook" Cappellety- MGK. My vote for best drummer went to Dean Butterworth. I honestly think that he's going to take home the trophy. It's Good Charlotte for Pete's sake!
Best Bassist: Alex Dean- Architects U.K., Chris Hinkley- I The Mighty, Fat Mike- NOFX, "Fieldy" Arvizu- Korn, Ryan Scott Graham- State Champs, and Sergio Vega- Deftones. My one and only choice for this is Ryan Scott Graham. I know State Champs has a strong fan army, plus Ryan knows what he's doing and he does it well.

Steve Menoian

Best Guitarist: Ben Weinman- The Dillinger Escape Plan, Claudio Sanchez- Coheed and Cambria, Jordan Buckley- Every Time I Die, Reba Myers- Code Orange, Steve Menoian- I Prevail, and Teppei Teranishi- Thrice. Once again, I felt like there was only one choice: Steve Menoian. I Prevail has such strong guitar riffs and hard melodies.

Paramore

Dedicated Fanbase: Melanie Martinez, Motionless in White, Paramore, PVRIS, Sleeping with Sirens, and TwentyOne Pilots. My vote went to Sleeping with Sirens. However, Paramore has a strong chance of winning. I have no doubt in my mind that they will take that trophy home with them, but I'll have my fingers crossed for Sleeping with Sirens. (Of course TwentyOne Pilots has the odds in their favor, but I'm sick of them winning everything)

With Confidence

Best Underground Band: Broadside, Knocked Loose, Movements, Palaye Royale, Silent Planet, and With Confidence. I can say with confidence that With Confidence is going to win this category. They have made a huge impact on the scene and have been my newest obsession. I wouldn't even consider them underground anymore!
Breakthrough Band: Avatar, Creeper, Ice Nine Kills, Moose Blood, ONE OK ROCK, and Waterparks. My vote went to Moose Blood. My boyfriend's went to Waterparks. I love them both so much. I put money on ONE OK ROCK though. They've been smashing it!

ONE OK ROCK

Best Hard Rock Artist: Bullet for my Valentine, Halestorm, Highly Suspect, In This Moment, Korn, The Pretty Reckless. Bullet for my Valentine got my vote. I'm a little bias towards them since they're one of the only Hard Rock artists I listen to, but they really do posses the talent that this reward is dedicated to.
Best Live Band: Beartooth, Dance Gavin Dance, Falling in Reverse, In This Moment, Issues, NOFX. My vote last year went to Issues. It went to the same place this year. It wouldn't surprise me if Beartooth took it home either.
Best Music Video: Highly Suspect- Bloodfeather, I See Stars- Calm Snow, Korn- Insane, Memphis May Fire- This Light I Hold, State Champs- Losing Myself, Sum41- Fake My Own Death. State Champs won me over, just like they'll win this award. Losing Myself is a great song and has a video to match it.

Voldemort music video

Best New Artist Music Video:  K.Flay- Blood in the Cut, Pup- Sleep in the Heat, SWMRS- Palm Trees, Tiny Moving Parts- Common Cold, Watsky- Don't Be Nice, and With Confidence- Voldemort. Again, With Confidence has my support. Voldemort is so catchy and has a great video for a new artist. I wouldn't be upset if SWMRS won though.
Song of the year: A Day To Remember- Paranoia, Andy Black- We Don't Have to Dance, Pierce the Veil- Circles, MGK- Alpha Omega, Real Friends- Mess, and Waterparks- Stupid for You. I went through and had my friends vote for these ones. There were too many to choose from my. I wouldn't be butthurt if any of these bands took home the song of the year title. (However, I'm not the biggest MGK fan)
Artist of the year: A Day to Remember, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, Green Day, MGK, Panic! at the Disco, Pierce the Veil, Sum 41, and The Pretty Reckless. Instead of telling you who I want to win, heres who I DON'T want to win: The Pretty Reckless, MGK, and Fall Out Boy.

The Shadow Side

Album of the year: Andy Black- The Shadow Side, Tonight Alive- Limitless, Architects U.K.- All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us, Attila- Chaos, Beartooth- Aggressive, Every Time I Die- Low Teens, I Prevail- Lifelines, Moose Blood- Blush, Pierce the Viel- Misadventures, and Waterparks- Double Dare. I'd like to think that Andy's going to take this one home, but the last four bands listed have my full support.
Looking forward to this year's APMAs?
Go cast your votes! Make every single one count! Who did you vote for?

Set It Off

Alright, it's been a while and I'm breaking my silence for a good reason. I have fallen in love. Never did I think that I would find something that includes all that I look for and love. Set It Off has captured my heart and can definitely be ranked in my top 5 favorite bands. I first heard their song "Uncontainable" when I was binge watching Luke Holland drumming videos. Apparently they did an extended music video with Luke and had him doing a drum battle in the middle of a ring with someone. I liked the song, so I added it to my Spotify and kept it on reply. As anyone in the music world knows, one song leads to another. The next thing you know, you have a new addiction.
Set It Off was formed in 2008. Current members are Cody Carson (lead singer), Maxx Danziger (drummer), Dan Clermont (guitarist), Zach DeWall (Bassist). Maxx is 26 while the rest are 27. Do they look their age? Hell no. Fun Maxx fact: He was nominated for Best Drummer at the 2016 APMAs. Anyways, the band can be classified in many genres. However, they fit more in to pop-punk, pop-rock, and alternative. If you listen to a couple of different songs, you can see how they are hard to fit in one clique. Their influences come from many different musicians. They draw inspiration from bands like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, All Time Low, A Day to Remember, and even *NSYNC and Destiny's Child.
Cody Carson got his start in college. Alex Gaskarth from All Time Low helped him pursue his real dream by giving him permission to perform and film "Coffee Shop Soundtrack". Cody had shared multiple videos and messages with Alex who obviously supported him. After his success with that, he dropped out to start Set It Off with hometown friends Dan, Zach, and Austin Kerr. The group went through 3 drummers in one year before sucking Maxx Danziger in to the whirlwind of success they are in now. Austin was a long term member. He left the band 2015 due to allegations against him for sexual assault. The band didn't want to be associated with those allegations. Austin didn't want them to be drug down with him either, so it was a mutual decision to split with Kerr. Austin apologized for his actions and said that he would be working on himself. He also promised that he never meant to make anyone ever feel uncomfortable. The fans of Set It Off were the most important thing to him and he would do nothing to harm them. That was the backbone of reasoning when he left the band.
On to their success. Their first EP Baby, You Don't Tripajaharda was released in 2008. Calm Before the Storm was their second EP and was released in 2009. Their first single "Hush, Hush" was released in 2010. The accompanying music video was released that October. 2011 was the year they released the Horrible Kids EP. All of this was a build up for 2012. The released their first full length album "Cinematics". For the release of this album, they partnered with VH1 Save the Music Foundation. For every album sold they donated a $1 to help support school music programs. In total they raised $5,000. You can figure out how many albums were sold then!
2013 was the release of a Christmas song on Fearless Record's Punk Goes Christmas. "This Christmas (I'll Burn it to the Ground)" has got to be one of the best Christmas songs out there ha! It has a creepily awesome music video to accompany it. 2014 was another big year for the group. They released "Duality", their second full length album. It earned a well deserved #5 spot on Rock Sounds Top 50 Albums of the Year. They also did a cover of Ariana Grande's "Problem" on Punk goes Pop. They released an acoustic version of "Duality" in 2015. Their third full length album is soon to be released! (Another reason I'm writing). Upside Down will be available soon. Pre-order on iTunes NOW! On another note, they have also put out 12 music videos and have 4 official lyric videos.
The band has also been on so many tours for a group that hasn't been around all too long. They have played in over 19 tours! I'll list a few, but not them all. In 2013 they toured around with Yellowcard, Tonight Alive, and Warped. 2014 consisted of WATIC's reunion tour, Come Alive Tour with Our Last Night, and supported on the Black Mass Tour. Their first headlining tour was the Glamour Kills Spring Break Tour in 2015. They were also on the Rise of the Runaways Tour, Warped, and they did a tour in the UK. In 2016 they did the Fight For Something Tour and Warped again.
So that's Set It Off! They recently released a new single and a hilarious music video to go with it. When you get a chance look up "Something New". Trust me, you will not be disappointed. Play their Spotify, buy their music, binge on YouTube, and finally pre-order Upside Down on iTunes! If you message me or comment, I might be able to gift it to you! :)       <l>

Alternative Press Music Awards

In case you didn't know the APMAs are going to be held on July 18th. Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat of All Time Low are returning to host. I'm so excited to see what antics they bring to this year. It should be another epic night. There is a long time before the awards, but voting is now open! I went through and voted already. There is some really tough competition. Here are my favorites for this year. 

Best Vocalist: Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low), Kellin Quinn (Sleeping with Sirens), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Caleb Shomo (Beartooth), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Corey Taylor (Slipknot). I would be extremely happy if Kellin or Patrick won. My vote was for Alex. 
Best Guitarist: Jack Fowler (Sleeping With Sirens), Kevin Skaff (A Day To Remember), JB Brubaker (August Burns Red), Kellen McGregor (Memphis May Fire), Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory), Misha Mansoor (Periphery). My favorites are Jack, Kevin, and Chad. I put my vote in for Kevin. 
Best Bassist: Kelen Capener (The Story So Far), Skylar Acord (Issues), Ralph Sica (Being as an Ocean), Ryan Neff (Miss May I), Matthew Taylor (Motion City Soundtrack), Aaron Stringer (The Amity Affliction). I would love to see Skylar Acord win. I'm a fan of Issues, but my vote was for the amazing Kelen Capner. 
Best Drummer: Christian Coma (Black Veil Brides), Loniel Robinson (letlive.), Jerod Boyd (Miss May I), Dani Washington (Neck Deep), Maxx Danziger (Set It Off), Aaron Gillespie (Underoath). I wholeheartedly believe that Luke Holland should be in the category. He is sick! However, I'd be extremely excited if Maxx won. He's talented and adorable. 
Best International Band: As It Is, You Me at Six, Parkway Drive, Marianas Trench, Babymetal, and One Ok Rock. My hands down favorite is As It Is. You Me at Six and Marians Trench are both really good nominees as well. 
Best Live Band: Issues, Neck Deep, Motionless in White, Attilla, Beartooth, and Slipknot. I didn't have to think twice about voting for Issues. They are amazing live! So are the other artists, but Issues stage presence sets them apart for me. Motionless in White gives pretty good performances. They scare me a little, but I can see where they deserve this award. 

Issues

Artist Philanthropic...You may want to look these ones up in order to understand them completely. Nominees include: Andrew McMahon (Dear Jack Foundation), Jake Luhrs (HearSupport), The Used (Living the Dream), The Wonder Years (Puppies Behind Bars, After School All-Stars, The Herren Project, Futures Without Violence),This Wild Life (National Breast Cancer Foundation), and You Me at Six (Passport Back to the Bars,The Ghost Inside U.K. Fundraiser, PETA). I believe that I voted for You Me at Six. All are amazing fundraisers and bands. 
Most Dedicated Fanbase: Issues, Mayday Parade, New Year's Day, PVRIS, The Ghost Inside, and The Maine. I'm a fan of The Main and Mayday Parade. However, I think that the fans of The Ghost Inside deserve this one after raising money for the band after their accident.
Breakthrough Band: I Prevail, Knuckle Puck, Neck Deep, New Year's Day, Set It Off, and State Champs. This choice is obvious to me. State Champs all the way. I wouldn't have problem seeing I Prevail or Set It Off win though.
Best Underground Band: Cane Hill, Creeper, Moose Blood, ROAM, Tiny Moving Parts, and Too Close To Touch. I put my vote in for ROAM. It was a tough choice between them and Too Close to Touch.

Time for the big awards that everybody waits through the whole award show for.

Song of the Year: "Just Like You" (Falling in Reverse), "Hey! We Ok" (Never Shout Never), "Would You Still Be There" (Of Mice and Men), "Hallelujah" (Panic! at the Disco), "Divine Zero" (Pierce the Veil), and "Secrets" (State Champs). It's a toss up for me between "Hallelujah" and "Secrets". Both songs are constantly on repeat. I think that I voted for Panic! on this one though. I'd be

ecstatic if State Champs took home the award. I wouldn't mind seeing Pierce the Veil claim it either.
Music Video of the Year: Somethings Gotta Give (All Time Low), Identity (August Burns Red), Emperor's New Groove (Panic! at the Disco), If I'm Lucky (State Champs), Cardinals (The Wonder Years), Stressed Out (Twenty One Pilots). My picks are once again obvious. I voted for All Time Low, but I majorly support Panic! and State Champs. Do you see the pattern yet?
Album of the Year nominees are: Future Hearts (All Time Low), Found in Far Away Places (August Burns Red), That's the Spirit (Bring Me The Horizon), Copacetic (Knuckle Puck), American Candy (The Maine), The Pale Empire (Marilyn Manson), Life's Not Out to Get You (Neck Deep), Madness (Sleeping With Sirens), Around the World and Back (State Champs), and BlurryFace (Twenty One Pilots). I'm dedicated to All Time Low, so I cast my vote for them. I'm also in love with State Champs album. It's had more than one major hit on it. I wouldn't mind seeing BlurryFace win the award though.
Artist of the Year: All Time Low, Beartooth, PVRIS, Fall Out Boy, Motionless in White, Panic! at
the Disco, Real Friends, Sleeping With Sirens, Slipknot, and Twenty One Pilots. This was the hardest category to vote in. Panic! has my vote. Nobody has made a bigger come back than Brendon Urie. I pray that ATL, FOB, Pilots, or Panic! take this one home with them. My chances of ending up happy with the winner are high in this category!
Want to go vote yourself and support your favorite artist? (or my picks) Click here