​Mandie and Ruby, Foxxhound, Danny Maika, Parker Macy, Tully James Wilkinson 
Continental Room, Fullerton
Feb. 7, 2012

The biggest criticism this curmudgeon will heap upon night six of the OC Music Awards has to do with the venue. Of all the beer bars and juke joint hosting this season's showcases, the Continental Room in downtown Fullerton is least conducive to a pleasant concert-going experience. More >>

Brandon Ferguson

​Red9, Slime Kings, Death Hymn #9, Snakebit Drifters and Railroad to Alaska
Tiki Bar, Costa Mesa
Jan 31, 2012

Night five of the OC Music Awards saw the most consistent lineup of bands in the series thus far. That's not to say there weren't a few dips in what proved to be an exciting evening, but there certainly weren't any stinkers. More >>

Andrew Youssef/OC Weekly

​Every year the OC Music Awards names two outstanding achievement honors--the Orange Country Impact and Lifetime Achievement. According to a statement from the award-giving body, "The Orange County Impact Award honors a renowned local band or artist for their impact on the Orange County music scene. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes those individuals who have had a significant presence in the local scene, working to further local music whether they are a musician or music industry professional."

This year, "local heroes" Thrice gets the Orange County Impact Award for being "early pioneers of a new hardcore genre to one of the most progressive bands with an ever-evolving sound."

Riley Breckenridge, Thrice's drummer and our Three Things columnist, said of the award: "Orange County has a rich musical history, and to be recognized as a band that has been an important part of that history is truly an honor. We're grateful for the support our hometown has given us, and thankful that that support helped us go from a garage band that played house shows and Harvest Festivals to a band that was able to tour the world and do something creative for a living for almost 14 years."

The band announced last year that they're on indefinite hiatus, but will audiences still be treated to a live show? Stay tuned.

Rodney on the ROQ is the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Recipient, taking the award that last year was bestowed on Stan Freese, Disney's Talent Casting & Booking Director and OC resident.

More >>

Kevin Lara/OC Weekly

Honeypie

​Honeypie, Skee, I Hate You Just Kidding, Button Willow Locomotive, Kacie Yoshida
Malone's
Jan. 24, 2012

• Check out a slideshow of the event here!

And the gold star for best performance goes to--in this critic's humble opinion--Honeypie. Simply put, they were head and shoulders above the other four bands in last night's OC Music Awards showcase for best live acoustic band. More >>

Chris Victorio/OC Weekly

Just one of the many beautiful people in the audience Tuesday

​More >>

Aquabats were nominated for Best New Album

​UPDATED:
Yesterday we talked to the OC Music Awards about claims that the nomination process isn't exactly transparent, with some OC Music Awards Academy members also nominated as musicians in various categories (see more after the jump.)
Today I got an email from Weekly reader Nathan Hoffmann, asking about the OC Music Awards nomination process. In his email, he says, "The problem is when I went to research how this was done of course its a panel of promoters, venue owners, music critics etc. That's all fair, except on closer examination two groups nominated this year, I and I  and Speach Impediments are on a record label AcroplisRPM, owned by panel member Daniel Park. Now if this is not a conflict of interest, then I don't know what is."

Again we asked OC Music Awards head honcho Ashley Eckenweiler to comment on this, and here's what she has to say:  "Speaking further to my initial response, we asked those directly involved with musicians to not nominate the artists that they are directly working with as a member of the Academy. Our entire Academy is involved in the music industry. Multiple members are affiliated with local record labels. They are on the Academy because they have a knowledge of the local music scene in OC."
More >>

Christopher Victorio/OC Weekly

​OC Music Awards Showcase 1: Best Live Band, with Jeramiah Red, Paulie Pesh, the Gromble, Strange Birds and James Fletcher
Jan 3, 2011
Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa

Last night saw Costa Mesa's Detroit Bar kick off the first in a series of showcases comprising the OC Music Awards. The five groups, competing for the title of best live band, consisted of Jeremiah Red, Paulie Pesh, The Gromble, Strange Birds and James Fletcher. With a couple exceptions, the performances were solid, and the gold star, in my humble opinion, goes to the Gromble.More >>

​Tonight's the night! The 2012 OC Music Awards Showcase Series kicks off at the Detroit Bar with a free showcase of bands nominated for "Best Live Band." Jeramiah Red, the Gromble, Paulie Pesh, Strange Birds and James Fletcher are all performing.

The show starts at 8 p.m., and for the next seven weeks, there will be free showcases of OC's best at different venues all over the county.  (The actual 2012 OC Music Awards will be held on Mar. 3 at the City National Grove of Anaheim.)

Check out tonight's schedule after the jump.

More >>

Christopher Victorio/OC Weekly

See more images from the OC Music Awards here.

​ Stan Freese, one of the most popular tuba soloists in the country, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the OC Music Awards. Freese, who has booked entertainment for the Walt Disney Co. for more than 40 years (he's been Director of Bands at the Walt Disney World Resort, Show Director for Tokyo Disneyland, and Talent and Casting Director for Disneyland), is probably one of the most punk-rock tuba players ever. More >>

Christopher Victorio/OC Weekly

The Growlers won Best Surf

​10th Annual OC Music Awards More >>