Graphic by Monica Fuentes

Rocks Off is not going to make this long, because we don't have much to say. But it's important.

If you haven't filled in your choices for this year's Houston Press Music Awards, you don't have much time. The nominations are still open at our handy little HPMA poll page, but it closes at midnight. So if you go there at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, as in tomorrow, you'll be too late. Remember one nomination ballot per person, please.

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Graphic by Monica Fuentes

Hard to believe it's already been almost two weeks since we put up the 2013 Houston Press Music Awards nomination ballot. This year has not been a slow one, that's for sure.

But now there is officially less than one week until the nominations close, which happens at the stroke of midnight next Thursday, May 23. We'll announce the nominees probably about a week later. (You'll know.) Nominate right here, please.

That's really about all we had to tell you today. Remember only one nomination ballot per person this year. But while we've got your attention, we figured it was a good time to show you some of last year's winners.

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Graphics by Monica Fuentes

It's hard to believe it's already that time of year again. People seem to say that when it comes to anything from graduation time (congrats!) to holiday shopping, but for Rocks Off it's hardest of all to believe when it's time for our readers to choose their favorite local performers in the annual Houston Press Music Awards.

That time is now. The 2013 HPMA nomination ballot is now online and all ready for you to vote. Seriously. This year is our 25th year too, so we're hoping for a couple more big announcements before all is said and done.

This year to go along with that sleek HPMA logo, the work of our great Houston Press Art Director Monica Fuentes, we have streamlined the categories too. You'll now be voting on 34 instead of 40 HPMA winners, as reflected by the following changes:

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Graphic by Monica Fuentes

The 2012 Houston Press Music Award Winners

HPMA Ceremony Heavy With Winners, Light on Drama

Slideshow: Pics from the 2012 Houston Press Music Award Ceremony

You're about to see some very wide eyes on some very surprised people. We stuck a camera and microphone in front of the winners backstage and asked them if they wanted to say something. Some looked so surprised at their victory they were almost speechless, but they all managed to come up with a few words.

One of the Niceguys, winners for Best Rap Group, knows what's up: "I don't know how we won, but I think it has something to do with swag." Of course it does.

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Photos by Marco Torres

The Dude: Lebowski-esque Best Drummer Gabe Bravo of Best Rock winners the Trimms

The 2012 Houston Press Music Award Winners

The Houston Press Music Awards ceremony is a little like a family reunion where you go just to see what your crazy cousin from Temple might do: Will he pass out on the playground teeter-totter, throw some punches at your uncle, or be a big hit on the dance floor?

Usually you could at least expect one nominee or another to do something mildly outrageous, like A Dream Asleep's T-shirts spelling out "TITS" at the 2010 ceremony, or random winners using their acceptance speeches to rant and rave about something (even us). This year was my fifth HPMA ceremony after taking over as music editor, first after missing last year's show in the hospital, and things are a little different.

Before the ceremony started, I was swapping surgery and prescription stories with Free Press Houston and Summer Fest's Omar Afra, there accepting Best Live Music Venue for Fitzgerald's, and Concert Pub North/Jetspeed Entertainment promoter John Escamilla. Now that's rock and roll.

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Graphics by Monica Fuentes

As announced from the stage at Warehouse Live earlier Wednesday evening, here are the 2012 Houston Press Music Award winners. Congratulations to all.

BEST LP/CD/EP

Free Radicals, The Freedom Fence

BEST MIXTAPE

One Hunnidt, #keepit100

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Graphic by Monica Fuentes

Rocks Off would like to formally (or informally) invite our readers to tonight's Houston Press Music Awards Ceremony at Warehouse Live. The event opens to the public at 7 p.m., and the program starts at 8. It's free, y'all.

HPMA-nominated artists the Tontons (with Best Female Vocals nominee Asli Omar), PuraPharm (Female Vocals/Tessa Kole, Best Modern Rock), Another Run (Best Modern Rock) and Bang Bangz (Best CD/LP/EP, Best Electronic Act) will perform. The lovely Theresa from 94.5 The Buzz is your host for the evening.

This year, for the first time, the nominees at our private pre-ceremony reception will vote on a special "Band Peer Choice" wild-card award among all the HPMA nominees. That award will be announced at the end of the evening by yours truly, making my own return to the HPMAs after an... unexpected one-year hiatus.

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photos by Marco Torres

HPMA Showcase: The 12 Best Artists of 2012

HPMA Showcase: Rocks Off's Top 7 Discoveries

HPMA Showcase: Sunday's 11 Best Random Moments

SLIDESHOW: HPMA Showcase -- The Bands

SLIDESHOW: HPMA Showcase -- The Crowds

"After the show it's the afterparty..."

Another year, another successful HPMA showcase. And unlike those wimps up in Chicago, a little rain wasn't gonna stop us here in H-Town.

And what better way to end an evening of live music than with a dance party featuring five of the city's best DJ acts? The Houston Press knows how to throw a party, y'all. Here's proof:

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Besides all the music, Rocks Off asked our writers to keep an eye out for the unusual at Sunday's HPMA showcase -- because it's everywhere -- and let us know if they found anything especially offbeat or otherwise noteworthy.

Photo by Groovehouse

thelastplaceyoulook, good neighbors

HPMA Showcase: The 12 Best Artists of 2012

HPMA Showcase: Rocks Off's Top 7 Discoveries

SLIDESHOW: HPMA Showcase -- The Bands

SLIDESHOW: HPMA Showcase -- The Crowds

Best Sportsmanship: The fellas in thelastplaceyoulook forgo a few minutes of their closing set at the Bronze Peacock Room to accommodate the Niceguys, whose DJ Candlestick was a latecomer to the venue and in the slot before them. The Niceguys also managed to shout-out new Houston transplants We Were Wolves in their shortened set, who have apparently moved to Houston from Beaumont. Welcome aboard, duders. CRAIG HLAVATY

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Rocks Off also asked our folks covering the HPMA showcase to tell us their favorite new artist they saw Sunday - not necessary new, just new to them.

Photo by Barry Sigman

HPMA Showcase: The 12 Best Artists of 2012

SLIDESHOW: HPMA Showcase -- The Bands

SLIDESHOW: HPMA Showcase -- The Crowds

Alkari: How have I never seen these guys play before? They gave me a bit of a Bob Mould/Pixies vibe - angsty, swirly rock stuff. Their drummer was a hardass and their lyrics were complex and thoughtful. Plus, they seemed to be having a great time playing with each other. The back room at Reserve 101 was a good spot. Intimate and with decent sound. BRITTANIE SHEY

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