Dogstar with Keanu Reeves: First appearance in 20 years

Most people may know Keanu Reeves as an actor. The movie “John Wick: Chapter 4” will be released in German cinemas only in March 2023. The fifth part of the action-packed series starring Reeves as a professional killer and anti-hero is already being planned. Few people know that the Canadian actor is also a musician.

Dogstar is the name of the three-piece band about Keanu Reeves, Bret Domrose, and Robert Mailhouse. The latter became known in the 1990s through cult series like Days of Our Lives and Seinfeld. In 1994 he starred in the movie ‘Speed’ alongside fellow actor. Dogstar is now celebrating its first appearance after a hiatus of more than 20 years.

Dogstar’s first appearance after 20 years

This past Saturday, May 27, Dogstar played a surprise show at the BottleRock Festival in Napa Valley. Their performance includes twelve singles A mix of tracks from Dogstar’s two albums, 1996’s OUR LITTLE VISIONARY and 2000’s HAPPY ENDING. Songs from the band’s third LP are also in the works, including “Glimmer” and “Flowers”.

The appearance on BottleRock was Dogstar’s first in over 20 years. The last concert took place in October 2002 in Japan. The band broke up the same year. Domrose has subsequently performed as a solo artist, briefly played guitar with the Berlin Band, and is currently writing music for film and television. Reeves and Milehouse performed together in a formation called “Becky” for a time.

In July 2022, Dogstar announced its return. “We are back,” they posted in John Wick fashion on their official Instagram account. Since then, the trio has regularly uploaded updates from the studio. Then, in December, they announced their new record. When exactly this will appear, however, is not yet known.

Dogstar – beginnings and members

The genesis of Dogstar was the chance meeting between Robert Milhouse and Keanu Reeves in a supermarket in 1991. Melhouse was wearing a Detroit Red Wings jersey that day. Reeves, a huge fan of the team and an avid player of the sport, jokingly asked him if Mailhouse needed another goalkeeper. This encounter laid the foundation for Dogstar.

Once the two men became friends, they immediately began jamming together. Mailhouse played drums. Reeves provided guitar and vocals. In 1992, Greg Miller joined as original guitarist and vocalist. In 1994 he was replaced by Brett Dumrose. The band originally called themselves Small Fecal Matter and then BFS (Big Fucking Shit or Big Fucking Sound) before settling on Dogstar after Mailhouse found the name in Henry Miller’s book Sexus.

Dogstar, Bowie and Bon Jovi

Shortly after their formation, Dogstar’s first EP, QUATTRO FORMAGGI, was released in 1995. That same year they toured the US supporting David Bowie and opening for Bon Jovi on their Crossroads Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

With QUATTRO FORMAGGI they released their first record in 1996 in the form of a four-track EP. A year later, their debut album, OUR LITTLE VISIONARY, followedAnd Which, however, was only distributed in Japan. Sound: alternative rock.

The band also performed at the Zee Cine Awards in India, the 1996 Zwemdokrock Festival in Belgium and the 1999 Glastonbury Festival. Their second album HAPPY ENDING followed the same year. The music on this record has been described by Domrose as “more aggressive pop” than the band’s previous work. We’re excited to see what Dogstars’ third album will look like. There was already a taste beforehand at BottleRock.