Stars and Scars began as an independent music fanzine based out of Middletown, New Jersey.
The zine was created by Elyse Jankowski in May 2002 when she was 16 years old. Stars and Scars was in print for three years, sold in nine states, gained recognition from SPIN and Rolling Stone, and worked with top indie and major labels.Stars and Scars is now a webzine. We also do NJ concert promotion as Stars
and Scars LLC!
Remember the late great NJ music venues Birch Hill, Hamilton St. Cafe, Club
Krome and Bloomfield Ave. Cafe? Every weekend, you'd hit up a show to hang
out with your friends, see your favorite bands and discover new music. The
local scene was truly alive...Until the venues started closing, bands began
to struggle and fans experienced a major void.
Enter Stars and Scars. We miss what you miss! S&S strives to recreate the
sense of community and respect that shows used to have. Our goal is to someday
open a music venue that New Jersians can call home. In order to do so, we
need your help! Come to our shows, join our street team, contribute to our
webzine and become part of the music to revive the NJ music scene!
Check out our Myspace
for more info!
Join our Facebook
group for a chance to win FREE ADMISSION to our shows!
We are always looking for webzine contributors to submit interviews, reviews,
features and photos! To submit your work to Stars and Scars, e-mail Elyse
at starsxscars@yahoo.com
Content from Issues 2-4 can be found on this website. However, articles
from Issues 1 & 5 were lost in a computer crash! The only way to get
them is via back issues. If you are interested in ordering a back issue
through the mail, please contact Elyse.
Praise for Stars and Scars:
"Wow, I love what you guys at S&S are doing. Just heard about you from a friend and im loving this! Indies def need folks like you around! Keep it up"
-Genta Entertainment
"Stars and Scars LLC began as a self-published fanzine coming out of Middletown,
NJ. They have since blossomed into one of the best indie music promoters
in the area. Working with a strong DIY ethic over the years and a undaunted
sense of pride and love for local musicians, Stars and Scars has become
able to successfully network with local artists both well known and emerging
in order to create venues that never cease to attract a diverse crowd."
-Ubbo Zine
"Everyone at Stars and Scars is a close friend, and they provide a stress-free
and fun environment for all the bands playing at their shows."
-Anthony Manginelli, The Call Out
"So I used to play Bloomfield Ave and Hamilton St Cafe. And after they
were no longer, I had a hard time finding a scene in Jersey to be a part
of. I'm glad I stumbled across this page. I've been spending a lot of time
in Bergen County, and it's great to know that they are people in NJ who
still care about creating great shows."
-Jaclyn Falk
"I also respect what you're doing. I grew up here in NJ and shows when
I was a teenager were the best times of my life. It's unfortunate that more
people arent doing what you're doing throughout NJ!"
-Justin, Homesick Touring
"Thanks for all that you are doing. The scene, as it exists, should be
grateful for all you've done with Scars and Stars."
-Chad Coronato, General Manager at Unuka Records
"I have been told that you throw some solid shows, so keep it up! You are
helping make NJ fun again."
-Nick from Inherit The Fall
"I just wanted to thank you for having me the other day. The show was a
lot of fun, and it was really refreshing to play a show where the kids actually
watched the groups instead of hanging out outside all nite. We have been
considering only putting on our own shows from this point forward, but playing
yours really has me reconsidering. I appreciate what you're doing and hope
to play more of your shows in the future. The difference is that you love
music, and the majority of NJ promoters love money."
-Adam Bird
"Thanks so much for sharing your work in Stars and Scars with me. I'm glad
to hear you are filling a void in your community by providing excellent
music coverage."
-Lauren Gitlin, Editorial Assistant at Rolling Stone magazine
"You gave us a free copy of your zine and I read it the whole trip home.
I think you are doing a really good job and I just wanted to tell you that."
-Ean from Desoto Jones
"You're doing a great job. It's nice to see the scene really coming back
to Middletown. Lots of luck with your zine."
-Andrew from Niagra's Falling
"I just received your second issue of Stars & Scars today, and I think
it's a brilliant zine. It's great that you take the time out to do this,
and that you are that devoted to it. I also want to tell you that I so envy
you for getting to interview Teppei from Thrice. I love that man so much.
You are quite lucky. Great zine. =]"
-Jessi, Stars and Scars contributor
"I got a copy of your zine at the Warped Tour in Asbury Park. I often think
about what an amazing magazine it is. I just re-found my copy of it and
thought I would write. I really like it, and enjoyed reading the articles.
I am also very happy to learn you know have a website. Anyway keep up the
good work, and hope to see a new issue soon."
-Sara, Stars and Scars reader
"I checked out your site last night. That's amazing that you are 17 years
old and you've got this kick ass magazine going. You rock! Keep up the good
work! You're very accomplished for being just a year older than myself."
-Paige, Stars and Scars reader
"Hey! I've only recently discovered your really amazing site, and I just
wanted to comment/suggest. First I just wanted to say how great I think
it is that you're doing this and you're only 17. The possiblities in life
seem endless for you. You obviously have quite the experience and probably
have been doing this for a while now. Your site is intriguing, well done
and for a great cause."
-Leah, Stars and Scars reader
"I came across your zine in Vintage Vinyl over the weekend and I was rather
impressed. Not enough people do zines these days, its becoming something
of a lost art, but yours looked pretty nice. Nice borders, interesting articles.
Way to go."
-Barry, Stars and Scars reader
"My friend and I are actually trying to start a zine of our own but so
far has proven to be very difficult so I really admire what you've got going."
-Geoff from Color Me Dead
"Hey what's up!! I love your zine. A friend of mine sent me a copy from
NYU and I loved everything in it. I would love to help add to your already
awesome magazine."
-Doug, Stars and Scars contributor
"You have an excellent publication. It makes me happy to see someone actually
doing things like that instead of just saying they are going to get around
to it eventually! And it looks like you are doing a pretty good job of it
from what I have read so far! Keep up the good work."
-Kamran from Parwana