The Alternative Press Music Awards (APMAs) is a music award show that gives recognition to genres that are often left out of other music award programs. Created by the alternative music magazine Alternative Press, the APMAs celebrates the achievements of artists in the pop-punk, hardcore, and metalcore genres and allows the fans to vote on their favorites to win various different awards.

The third annual APMAs was held July 18^th in Columbus, OH. The show was hosted for the second year in a row by Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat of the pop-punk band All Time Low. Alongside the awards were performances by multiple different artists, collaborations between fan’s favorite bands, and a pop-punk presidential debate and election held on Twitter throughout the show by the two hosts.

The APMAs gave out fourteen fan-voted awards and three recognition awards.

Best Vocalist

Patrick Stump - Fall Out Boy

Since ending their hiatus in 2013, there hasn't been a time where Fall Out Boy was not receiving airplay. From their post first-hiatus hit "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)" to current hit "Irresistible (ft Demi Lovato)," Fall Out Boy knows how to make their presence known. Fall Out Boy has been a name in the alternative industry since their debut album Take This To Your Grave was released in 2003. It wasn't until 2006 with the release of their single "Sugar, We're Goin Down" from From Under The Cork Tree did Fall Out Boy get the mainstream recognition they deserve. Since then, Fall Out Boy has become a household name, and is still used to poke fun at the stereotypical emo kid on sitcoms.

Best Guitarist

Jack Fowler - Sleeping With Sirens

There's no denying, whether you like them or not, Sleeping With Sirens is one of the most prominent bands in today's alternative scene. Since their debut in 2010, Sleeping With Sirens has gone nowhere by up in the industry. While most would credit the band's success to vocalist Kellin Quinn's eclectic vocal style, guitarist Jack Fowler was the one to bring home the band's only award this year for his work on the band's latest album, Madness, which peaked at 13 on the US Billboard 200. A band is nothing without its guitarist.

Best Bassist

Skyler Acord - Issues

Since their controversial formation in 2012, the guys of Issue have been making big waves in the alternative scene. Issues is at the forefront of genre-bending, combining metalcore, electronica, pop, and R&B to make some of their best hits. None of this would be possible without bassist Skyler Acord. Through an EP, two full-length records, and an acoustic album, Acord has provided the sometimes hardcore, sometimes funky, and always entertaining bass line behind the Issues sound. His work can clearly be heard in the debut single off of their latest record Headspace, "The Realest." Besides music, Acord is very involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, dedicating the Issues song "Blue Wall" to the cause and discussing it in his acceptance speech of this award.

Best Drummer

Christian Coma - Black Veil Brides

Love them or hate them, you can't deny the powerful and dividing presence of Black Veil Brides. Formed in 2009, Black Veil Brides has released four studio records and taken audiences back to a time of glam metal and 80's rock. While their over-the-top style is what they are best known for, Black Veil Brides has continued to evolve both their music and fashion style. The addition of Christian Coma in 2010 aided in the success of their second record Set The World On Fire, which established the band as both a musical and a performance act. Despite vocalist Andy Biersack taking double duty with Black Veil Brides and his solo career as Andy Black, as of November 2015, new Black Veil Brides music is being written to try to trump their 2014 self-titled record.

Best International Band

You Me At Six

Since the success of their debut record Take Off Your Colours in 2008, UK rock band You Me At Six has become a staple in every alternative kids playlist. Whether its just one song or their whole discography, You Me At Six doesn't need much to prove why they won Best International Band. The band released their fourth record Cavalier Youth in 2014, with an announcement of a fifth record in November 2015. Cavalier Youth hit #1 on the UK Album Charts when it debuted. It's only up for this UK band.

Best Music Video

Panic! At The Disco - ‘‘Emperor’s New Clothes’’

The ongoing line up of pop-rock band Panic! At The Disco is a movie within itself, which is something that you can expect from the band. Panic! At The Disco has put out some of the best music videos in the genre, combining the music with an ongoing story. At least, that's the deal with "Emperor's New Clothes." The music video for "Emperor's New Clothes" follows the story-line from the music video for "This Is Gospel" from Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die!. Brendon Urie, the sole remaining member of the group, has a flair for the dramatic, lending hand to the hours of makeup and costuming for Urie's acting prowess. Overall, the theatrics of Panic! At The Disco have not let fans down since their breakout hit "I Write Sins, Not Tragedies."

Song Of The Year

Panic! At The Disco - “Hallelujah”

Panic! At The Disco has been on a roll since the release of their fifth studio record Death of a Bachelor. Its hard to walk onto a college campus without hearing a song from Panic! At The Disco. "Hallelujah" was the first single off of this record, released a eight months before the official record. It only seems right that the debut song of a string of hit singles wins Song of the Year.

Best Live Band

Neck Deep

Neck Deep is in this author's current pop-punk trifecta (accompanied by Real Friends and The Story So Far). With two studio records and two EPs out since their 2012 formation, Welsh-natives Neck Deep has already established themselves as force to be reckon with in the alternative scene. Lyrics from their songs can be found on numerous edits on Tumblr, Twitter, and other social media outlets. As of 2016, Neck Deep will be on a world tour co-headlining with State Champs. Not too bad for something that started off as a part-time activity.

Artist Philanthropic Award

Jake Luhrs - HeartSupport

After hearing stories about depression and mental health issues from fans at the merch tent, Jake Luhrs, lead vocalist in metalcore band August Burns Red, founded HeartSupport. HeartSupport is an online community where people can talk openly and anonymously about issues in their life that are bothering them, focusing on mental health and stability. In the community are 50+ bands in the alternative scene, with their own stories of overcoming adversity. In a scene where depression, self-harm, and suicide are prominent song topics, HeartSupport is a system where the connection that listeners feel to those songs can speak out and talk through their issues, and know that they are not alone.

Most Dedicated Fanbase

The Ghost Inside

The story of metalcore heavyweights The Ghost Inside is more than their EP and four studio records. The story of The Ghost Inside is about overcoming whatever life throws at you. On November 19th, 2015, the band's touring bus collided with a tractor-trailer. Both drivers did not survive, and the band members were listed in critical condition. To this day, all members of The Ghost Inside are still recovering and relearning to do what they love. Throughout all of this, the fans and other artists have come together to support the medical expenses of The Ghost Inside, donating to GoFundMe accounts and donating proceeds. Accepting this award was the first time the band had been on stage together since the accident, and they thanked the fans who inspired them to get back on stage.

Breakthrough Band

State Champs

State Champs has been around since 2010, but gained their current popularity within the past two years. Having released three EPs and two full-length records, pop-punk State Champs is coming into their own, and strong. Their latest 2015 record Around the World and Back has spawned their biggest hit "Secrets," which was nominated for Song of the Year. They also had a song nominated for Music Video of the Year, "If I'm Lucky." For a band that's just breaking-through, State Champs already has an impressive checklist in the alternative scene.

Best Underground Band

Too Close To Touch

Formed in 2013, Kentucky hardcore band Too Close To Touch has proven themselves to be the new kid that's ready to shake up the scene. I'm going to be honest: I had heard of them before writing this, but never got around to giving them a listen. But as I write this with their newest single "What I Wish I Could Forget" playing in the background, I'm not surprised that they won. Too Close To Touch provides alternative fans the heavy instrumentals and emotion-filled vocals that make hardcore music what it is. With the announcement of a second full-length record, Haven't Been Myself, on the way this September, it's time to bring this underground band to the surface.

Album Of The Year

Twenty One Pilots - Blurryface

To most of the world, Ohio-based Twenty One Pilots seemed to have appeared from nowhere, invading radios with singles likes "Stressed Out" and "Ride." With the worldwide success of the indie-pop duo, a win in Album Of The Year seemed like an obvious assumption. But the win is well-deserved. Blurryface has transcended Twenty One Pilots to the radio-ranks of Fall Out Boy in the alternative scene. When everyone and their grandma is "Blurryface" and "cares what you think," you know it's the alternative record of the year.

Artist Of The Year

Twenty One Pilots

Again, in a flash, it seemed like everyone knew who Twenty One Pilots were, but the alternative scene, in an unironic hipster way, has known about Twenty One Pilots for years now. Formed in 2009, Twenty One Pilots has two self-released EPs and one other record to add to Blurryface. Vessel, the band's 2013 record, included what many consider to be their first big hit, "Car Radio." Since then, Twenty One Pilots has broken out of Twitter bios and Tumblr edits, and had made a national name for themselves.

The next three awards were not fan voted, and decided on by other means.

Vans "Off The Wall" Award

Yellowcard

With the announcement that the tenth and final record for the alternative rock band would be released this fall, a new award was designed by Vans to commemorate the innovative music that is Yellowcard. Together since 1997, with a brief two-year hiatus, Yellowcard has led the way for alternative bands to branch out and expand horizons. The distinct sound of Yellowcard is taken by the use of violinist Sean Mackin, an unusual instrument for the alternative genre. Yellowcard has remained a staple in the alternative scene and a staple in early 2000's teen movies with their breakout hit "Ocean Avenue." No matter where you fall in their twenty year career, it's undeniable that Yellowcard remains one of the heaviest influences in the pop-punk scene.

Classic Album Award

Good Charlotte - The Young and The Hopeless

This is the soundtrack to your teen movie. Good Charlotte's The Young and The Hopeless was honored with the first Classic Album award, commemorating the breakthrough album that helped launch pop-punk into the music scene. Released in 2002, the record went on to produce three Billboard hit songs and go triple platinum. There's no denying the success of "The Anthem" that launched Good Charlotte into the mainstream, and the alternative scene has been thankful ever since.

Icon Award

Marilyn Manson

The Icon Award is the highest honor to receive at the APMAs, won by X and Joan Jett in the previous years. This award is presented to someone who changed and shaped the genre for what it is today. This year's recipient, Marilyn Manson, has as laundry list of achievements within the scene. With twelve records, twenty film credits, and four books, Manson has expanded his alternative brand. If you don't know how music, you know his gothic style, a brand that has carried Manson through his twenty-seven year career. Manson has been the center of numerous publicity scandals, many centering around his anti-religion standpoint that drives many of his songs, include his entire third record Antichrist Superstar. Despite where you fall on the issue, Marilyn Manson is a well known name and continues to influence how people see the alternative scene. Besides, how alternative and punk is it to have religion leaders protest your shows for years?