Back In the Day: Exemplifying the “rock star for the new millennium” lifestyle (that is, professional musicians with a degree so that if and when their rock career craps out, they’re ready for a Plan B that doesn’t include the phrase “Would you like fries with that?”), the New York quartet formed while studying at the Pratt Institute of the Arts in Brooklyn. After numerous performances throughout New York City that rewarded pretzels and cheese (on good days), Stellastarr* garnered its largest legion of local fans and broke through the New York rock scene… at the South by Southwest festival in Texas. If that doesn’t make sense to you, then everything else in the world will.

Artsy-Fartsy: The members of Stellastarr* aren’t just musicians – they’re full blown artists. Vocalist Shawn studied illustration at the Pratt Institute, and is able to make a living during the day painting portraits of musicians. Neither bassist Amanda nor drummer Arthur neglected their studies either – both majored in graphic design and advertising, respectively. And in the spirit of advertising, Arthur follows in the theatrical pizzazz of rockers like Kiss and Alice Cooper by covering his nipple with electrical tape in the form of an asterisk during live shows. Hot? Hot. Yes, “Where’s the beef?” has finally been ousted.

It’s Almost Too Easy: While it takes most musicians countless years of self-discipline and intense studying to hone their chops, the members of stellastarr* were all late bloomers. Shawn didn’t paint, act or write until college, and the band’s early jam sessions basically consisted of the members all slowly learning their instruments together. Arthur is one of those guys who hopped behind the drum kit during college without twice thinking, thus completely pissing off the lifers. Arthur elaborates: “We were friends before I joined the band, and I never thought the drummers they had did a good job. I just thought I could do better.” With a solid three and a half years of drumming under his belt, Arthur admits that he feels like he’s still learning. You’re shitting us, Arthur. You’re. Shitting. Us.

There They Were, Face To Face, A Couple Of…: Both Shawn and Arthur are actors as well. While Shawn focuses completely on the band now, Arthur occasionally seeks out acting work; his biggest television role so far was in The Lost Battalion, an A&E original movie that starred Rick Schroeder of Silver Spoons fame. And if you think that Rick is yet another one of those stereotypically well-balanced, level-headed child stars who never throws a fit and is always in control of his emotions, then boy are you wrong. “Rick kind of got in a physical altercation with one of the cast members on the first day of production,” explains Arthur. “He and [another actor] had a different idea of how to go about a scene, and Rick tackled him pretty hard. It was kind of bizarre. But he was a nice guy. If you were to divide people by good and bad, he was good.” Truer words were never spoken by a man who doesn’t want to get sued by Rick Schroeder.

Star Search: Don’t mistake Arthur for one of those hopeless “Look at me!” kinds of people – at least when it comes to acting – as he has no desire to be a leading man. “I’m not too interested in lead role material. I don’t think I’m cut out for it. I like to come in for five minutes, steal the show and then go away. I like the funny side characters.” What Arthur’s trying to say is, Saved By The Bell: The Even Newer Class producers: You’ve found your next Screech.

Next: Stellastarr* will continue its jaunt around the States opening for The Raveonettes, and will eventually make its way to Japan and Australia.