I Just Read About That…

[DID NOT ATTEND: December 14, 2023] Dogstar / Archer Oh

I toyed with the idea of going  to this show, probably for the same reason that a lot of other people did.

To see Keanu Reeves!

I can’t decide if I like Keanu ironically or not, but it’s still pretty wild to think that a celebrity of his star power could have been just a few feet from me.

I genuinely had no idea what Dogstar sounded like.   So here’s the blurb from Underground Arts

Here in 2023, Dogstar epitomizes the quintessential Southern California storytelling rock band they’ve always been in their hearts, making deeply resonant music that literally comes from Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees – the name of their new album which arrives October 6, 2023 via their own label Dillon Street Records (distributed through ADA). Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Bret Domrose, drummer Robert Mailhouse, and bassist Keanu Reeves, Dogstar was born in 1991 as a band of friends who came together in a garage in Southern California and simply dreamed of playing music together and making a little noise. Now, all these years later, Domrose, Mailhouse, and Reeves took some time at the tail end of a historic lockdown to create this collection of songs that fully encompasses who they are as artists today. The happily reunited rock trio’s official return came in May 2023 – more than 20 years since their last performance together – with their first public performance at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival with a set that sparked fan and critical praise alike, including the live debut of their lead single “Everything Turns Around,” which was officially released July 19.

So this isn’t Keanu’s band, per se.  He “only” plays bass.  Domrose sings and plays guitar, although they all get writing credit for the songs.  But wow, it was sold out and no doubt super packed with people looking to meet Keanu.

I’ve watched some of the video (below) and they’re pretty good.  A little simple perhaps, but enjoyable.

Archer Oh is an Indie Garage Rock band from Moreno Valley, CA comprised of vocalist/guitarist Arturo “Archer” Medrano, drummer Pedro Hernandez, lead guitarist Diego Jacuinde, and bassist Juan Cabrera. Humbly beginning in 2015, the band played shows in friends yards, pools, and backyards gradually amassing a cult following that has stuck by through the years and watched climb to their current peak. In that time, they released their first record The Gold One shortly after the formation of the group, followed an EP, and a slew of singles, like Easy Eyes and Sophomore City which became crowd favorites, all leading into their latest record, Gradients which was supported by a sold-out headline show at the iconic Glass House in Pomona, CA. The bands fans span the country and Archer Oh have made their way across the US several times both as support for The Red Pears and in the past year on their own, staking their presence in every city they can make it to.

They pair quite well with Dogstar, with a reverbed guitar and almost surfy sound.  But they also bring the rock with heavy guitars and loud vocals.