AIM Awards to recognize finest in Arizona music By CHRIS HANSEN ORF
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Premier Valley power-popper Adam Panic sees his multiple nominations for the Arizona Infusion of Music Awards as an honor and swears that even if he loses, he won't take it too hard.
“I'm no Kanye West, unfortunately,” Panic laughs, referencing the hissy fit rapper West threw backstage after he was passed over in the best new artist category at last year's American Music Awards.
“To me, the nominations mean that my music is taken seriously by the local scene, which is really a big accomplishment in my book.”
Hosted by KEDJ (103.9 FM) personality Gadger, the fourth annual AIM Awards, which are voted on by a panel from the Arizona music industry and the media, will feature live performances by some of the nominees, including Black Moods (formerly Chalmers Green), rap-rockers Trik Turner, all-girl punk trio The Dames, rockers The Stiletto Formal, pop-punks The Love Blisters, ska progenitors Workshirt Wonder, rapper Iyon, punks Last Action Zeros and Panic.
Panic says the opportunity for local bands to network at the event is invaluable.
“Last year I came to the AIM Awards to pass out my CD to local people and network,” says Panic, who in the last year has gone from a virtual unknown to one of the brightest stars on the Valley music scene. “And this year, I think it's cool how my band and I are playing it.”
An “Official AIM After Party” will take place at 9 p.m. at the Real Bar on the northwest corner of Price and Baseline roads in Tempe and will feature music by Valley bands Evolocity, ColdFusion, The Black Moods, Seconds to Breathe and Stoked!.
AIM Awards
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Venue of Scottsdale, 7117 E Third Ave.
How much: $10
Info:
AIM Award nominees
Artist of the Year: Greeley Estates, The Stiletto Formal, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Calexico, Chalmer's Green Best Recording: The Necronauts, Army of Robots, Before Braille, Greeley Estates, Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Best Live Show: Rapid Fire, The Phunk Junkeez, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Greeley Estates Best Male
Best Female Group/Artist: Les Hell on Heels, Niki Kwik, The Dames, My Doll, Girl Kicks Boy
Best Singer/Songwriter: JD Stooks, Adam Panic, Roger Clyne, Steve Larson, Micah Bentley
Best Rock Band: Redfield, Batter the Drag, The Stiletto Formal, Chalmer's Green, The Reflection Best Pop Band: Reuben's Accomplice, Lightyear, Hiller, Ember Coast, The Love Blisters
Best Punk Band: The Dames, Casket Life, Two Dimes, Last Action Zeros, Calabrese Best Ska Band: Workshirt Wonder, Fayuca, Captain Squeegee & the Soapsuds, Troy's Bucket, Warsaw Poland Bros.
Best Hip-Hop Band: Magnum PIE, Rexx, Anglo-Saxxon, Pokafase, Drunken Immortals Best Hardcore Band: Where Eagles Dare, Life in Pictures, Abishai, Job for a Cowboy, Bullet Train to Moscow Best
Electronic Act: Bark Bark Bark, Peachcake, I Hate You When You're Pregnant, Army of Robots, Anne Frankenstein Best World Music: The Celtic Cowboys, Walt Richardson, The Latino Rebel Band, Calexico,
Ultamaxx Best Jam Band: Badshoe, Mojo Farmers, Shawn Johnson & the Foundation, Iji, Starfisher Best Tucson Band: Knockout Pills, Calexico, Bark Bark Bark, Warsaw Poland Bros., Shark Pants
