[DID NOT ATTEND: August 12, 2026] Dogstar / The Backfires
Three years ago, Dogstar played Underground Arts and 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.
When they came back to Philly, this time they were playing a much bigger venue. I don’t think it sold out, but good for them.
And in this video of them record shopping in Philly–their influences are perfect!
Again, I like their music–like 90s indie rock–although I don’t like their singer all that much.
The Backfires are a London/NYC band. They play solid old-school indie rock. Their previous album was really good.
I could easily have gotten into both of these bands in the 90s if they had gotten radio airplay.
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