Scranton’s Motionless in White is nominated in four categories at the upcoming Alternative Press Music Awards in Cleveland. The awards show, which held its inaugural ceremony last year, is organized by Alternative Press, a magazine that has covered the alternative and underground music scenes since 1985. This year’s event takes place on July 22 at Quicken Loans Arena.

Alternative Press is a mainstay in the alternative and underground music scenes, so for Motionless in White keyboardist Josh Balz, being nominated for an APMA is an honor.

“I think it’s awesome,” Balz said. “One of our friends writes for AP (and) he’s one of the most honest, straightforward dudes I’ve ever met. We respect him and (AP founder) Mike Shea. Those dudes have been at it forever. For them to even know who we are and what we’re doing—and understand what we’re doing—goes such a long way and it’s super cool.”

Motionless in White is nominated as a group in the Artist of the Year category, MiW bassist Devin “Ghost” Sola is up for Best Bassist and the band’s song “Reincarnate” is a contender for Song of the Year. The band’s fourth nomination is for Most Dedicated Fans, an unorthodox category that fits the APMA’s perfectly—after nominees are chosen, AP readers are invited to vote online to decide the winners.

Award recipients won’t be announced until the Alternative Press Music Awards event, but Balz and his band mates are already grateful for everything their fan base (affectionately referred to as “creatures” in reference to the band’s first full-length album) has given them.

“We’re a band that’s always appreciative,” Balz said. “When Chris (Cerulli, vocalist) is on stage he’ll say, ‘I said thank you a million times. I’m going to stop saying thank you—but, just so you know—thank you.’ We appreciate it. That’s what I think they see. We appreciate everything—we’re there to play music and they’re helping us flourish.”

Motionless in White is also scheduled to perform at the event, which will be broadcast live on AXS TV. Other acts set to perform include Weezer, New Found Glory, All Time Low and Taking Back Sunday. Red carped festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and the awards show begins at 7 p.m.

By Gene Axton

gaxton@timesleader.com

Motionless in White keyboardist Josh Balz.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Josh-Balz-two.jpg.optimal.jpgMotionless in White keyboardist Josh Balz. Photo by Lars Kommienezuspadt