Dogstar currently embody the essence of the Southern California narrative rock band they’ve always been. They create deeply resonant music that literally comes from Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees – the name of the band’s new album, which was released on October 6, 2023 through their own label, Dillon Street Records. Hollywood star Keanu Reeves is probably known to most fans as the protagonist of the legendary Matrix trilogy, as former assassin John Wick, or as the fearless exorcist Constantine. But equally important is the fact that Keanu Reeves is a renaissance figure who, despite his worldwide fame, has kept both feet firmly on the ground. Keanu Reeves is a philanthropist in the fields of climate change, human rights and many others, including his own foundation to help research cancer treatments or donate financial aid to children’s hospitals.
“Seeing Dogstar perform with the stellar Keanu Reeves on bass is a dream come true for me. We tried to invite the band back in the nineties, but it didn’t work out and the band was not active for almost 20 years. We are even more happy that it finally happened. The participation of Dogstar and Keanu Reeves at the Rock for People festival will surely be an unforgettable experience for both music and film fans,” comments Michal Thomes, the festival director.
Dogstar, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Bret Domrose, drummer Robert Mailhouse and bassist Keanu Reeves, was born in 1991 as a band of friends who met in a garage in Southern California and simply dreamed of playing music and making some noise together. Now, more than thirty years later, Domrose, Mailhouse and Reeves have taken some time at the end of a historic lockout to create a collection of songs that fully encapsulates 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 appearance at Napa Valley’s BottleRock music festival with a set that drew praise from fans and critics alike, including the live debut of their lead single “Everything Turns Around,” officially released on July 19 of this year.
Since this summer, Dogstar have been touring the United States with their new album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees, having already visited the West Coast during the tour and will head to the East Coast in December. Next year, Dogstar will head “over the big pond” and into Europe with their rock’n’roll whirlwind. The European leg of the tour will include a unique performance at the Rock for People festival.