Despite the fact that BAM magazine ceased publishing almost two years ago, the magazine's award show lives on. The twenty-fourth annual Bammies (a.k.a. the California Music Awards) will take place April 28th at Oakland's Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium, marking the first time the show has been held outside of San Francisco.

Fittingly, Oakland residents Green Day lead this year's nominations list with a whopping seven nods. The punk trio is up for Outstanding Album and Outstanding Punk Rock/Ska Album for Warning, as well as Outstanding Group. Billie Joe Armstrong has been tipped for Outstanding Male Vocalist and Outstanding Songwriter, while bassist Mike Dirnt is up for Outstanding Bassist and drummer Tre Cool for Outstanding Drummer. While band reps would not comment whether the band would attend the awards show, they will wrap up their Japanese tour in Fukuoka on March 23rd, giving them enough time to recover from jet lag to attend at the event. Other Californian artists nominated for multiple awards are Aimee Mann, Queens of the Stone Age, Metallica, Granddaddy, Perfect Circle, Counting Crows, No Doubt and Jurassic 5.

So far, Little Feat, who will receive a California Gold Award for lifetime achievement, are the only announced performers.

According to organizers, nominees are selected by a panel of music industry professionals, which includes journalists, radio hosts, program and music directors, club bookers, artist management, record company executives, producers and retailers, and are intended to reflect the California musicians who excelled in 2000. The final winners will be determined by a public voting at www.californiamusicawards.com.

Written by JAAN UHELSZKI
for RollingStone.com News