A closer look at the APMAs nominees for Breakthrough Band

With the second annual AP Music Awards taking place July 22 (get your tickets now), at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, we thought we would use the weeks leading up to this epic event to give you a category-by-category breakdown of the nominees. Read on to learn about the Best Breakthrough Band nominees, and get your tickets to the show!

Beartooth

Is it actually possible to deny the ‘Tooth? From metalcore merchant to hardcore hybrid, Caleb Shomo has reinvented himself entirely with Beartooth—and he's just getting started. The past year-or-so has boasted the group's punishing debut album, a full Warped Tour stint and separate runs with names such as Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens, as well as a fully-DIY house show tour. Does it get more punk rock than that? Beartooth are onto something huge, and they’re showing no signs of stopping any time soon.

Echosmith

It's pretty obvious who the “cool kids” are now. Echosmith, a pop-rock quartet comprised of siblings whose ages don't even average above 19 years, burst onto the scene in May of 2013 with their smash single, “Cool Kids,” and their lives haven't slowed down since. The band spent 2014 on the road on support of their debut LP, Talking Dreams, which included a full stay on the Vans Warped Tour and multiple late night TV appearances. They've since shared the stage with Taylor Swift and opened Hilary Clinton's presidential campaign launch. Did we mention their average age is under 19?

Modern Baseball

Modern Baseball are in the process of being catapulted to the top of the scene with their brand of relatable, emo-infused pop-punk. Commonly referred to as MoBo, the group’s humble beginnings were set into motion when a few college dudes simply wanted to play music together. Now, with two LPs, an impressive touring resume and a fervently growing fanbase to their name, it’s only a matter of time before these four kids from Philadelphia become the mainstays they’re poised to be.

Neck Deep

What once began as a bedroom project for frontman Ben Barlow has now evolved into something Neck Deep could’ve ever imagined. From Warped Tour to London’s Wembley Arena, the act have quickly become leaders in a genre that’s increasingly difficult to make waves in. With the release of their highly anticipated sophomore LP Life’s Not Out To Get You inching near, it’s quite clear Neck Deep are ready to take pop-punk to new heights. 

PVRIS

If you aren’t fully immersed within PVRIS’ one-two punch of addicting and experimental dark pop yet, you will very soon. Headed by the spunky, attitude-laced melodies of Lynn Gunn, PVRIS are the definition of a volcano just waiting to erupt. They were the first female-fronted group to sign with Rise Records and released their debut LP in 2014, but last year was still only the beginning for this Massachusetts trio. Expect this vehement time bomb of potential to explode sooner than you think.

This Wild Life

This Wild Life have taken a basic, uncomplicated formula and breathed exuberant, new life right back into it. Comprised of Kevin Jordan and Anthony Del Grosso, This Wild Life’s sense for irresistible hooks, relatable lyrics and keeping things unadorned has paved the way for their Epitaph signing, the release of their debut LP, spending two summers in a row on Warped Tour and much more. They even had their release show for Clouded on a beach—does it get any cooler than that?