Down in the trenches of Honolulu's underground music scene is 808 Scene Zine.

Edited by Katie Whitman, a 28-year-old Connecticut native, the modest monthly publication is just a few pages of stapled sheets of paper (there's an online version, too). But if you want some pointed fangirl opinions on local rock bands (no Jawaiian here) plus Whitman's edgy photographs, taken at local venues, this is where you'll find them, with a roundup of band gigs, CD reviews, upcoming shows and interviews covering topics from the onstage antics of, say, Pimpbot to "The 10 Commandments of Band Performance."

When she's not at gigs, Whitman is a University of Hawai'i support scientist at the Advanced Electro-Optical System Air Force telescope on Haleakala, Maui.

What prompted her to launch the rock rag four months ago? "I started going out to a lot of shows a few months ago and discovered a music scene I hadn't even known existed, even though I've lived in Honolulu for nearly four years," she said.

"The bands were so grateful that I was writing about the music scene, and I was so impressed with the talent I was encountering that I decided to make a printed newsletter to make people aware of what they were missing."

Whitman also was encouraged when a member of local psychobilly group The Hell Caminos offered to throw a fundraiser to help with the costs.

So, how do you define 808 Scene Zine?

"It's a showcase for Hawai'i's local musicians and artists, with a focus on the local music scene. I intend this publication to be an outlet for all those creative, intelligent and talented individuals in Hawai'i's underground to speak their minds or see their work published. We've had 13 different writers and photographers in our first four issues."

Who are your readers?

"It's geared toward those interested in watching live music, but also toward the musicians. For example, "The Ten Commandments of Band Performance," written by music veteran Mark Willman, advises bands on what they need to do to put on an entertaining, successful and professional show. I also interview national acts (Alien Ant Farm, As I Lay Dying) and collect advice on how to make it in the music industry.

"I'd like to include stories about tattoo artists, skateboarders, artists, poets — anything underground, anything counterculture, anything worthwhile that the public doesn't typically know about."

How do you choose material?

"So far, I've been writing about bands that I've really liked, developed a relationship with (Whitman began by posting reviews and blogs on MySpace.com), or who have asked me to review their shows or new CDs. If you're a musician/DJ/band/group and want me to write about you, e-mail Katie at ktindiana@hotmail.com or www.MySpace.com/ktindiana."

What is your competition?

"There is QuadMag (www.QuadMag.com), which is now only online. But I specifically chose to print hard copies to reach the people who don't already know about existing, but often hard-to-find, resources.

Where can people find you?

We're online at www.the808SceneZine.com and we also print 1,000 issues to hand out at First Thursdays Poetry Slam, First Friday's Art Walk in Chinatown and at live shows. We're in coffee shops, music stores, music studios, tattoo parlors, Diamond Head Video, and book stores around town.

Reach Chris Oliver at coliver@honoluluadvertiser.com.