Punk, hardcore and metalcore acts were well represented in this year's San Diego Music Awards. Leading the pack was As I Lay Dying who took Artist of the Year and recently released Shadows Are Security.

Pepper won best alternative act, The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower won best punk band, and Underminded took best hard rock. Reeve Oliver took best rock album with their album, Reeve Oliver. Defunct Swami act Hot Snakes, won best punk album with their final album, Audit in Progress. The Locust won best hard rock album with Safety Second, Body Last. Louis XIV won album of the year with their full length, The Best Little Secrets Are Kept.

The results were tallied based on more than 12,000 votes from people in the San Diego area.