Backfires & Dogstar

Dogstar may not be a household name, but the band has been making music for more than three decades, and one of its members is someone almost everyone recognizes.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1991, Dogstar is an alternative rock trio made up of drummer Robert Mailhouse, guitarist and vocalist Bret Domrose, and bassist Keanu Reeves. Yes, that Keanu Reeves.

After more than a decade together, the band split in 2002. Although Dogstar was no longer active, the members stayed in touch and continued to reunite for occasional jam sessions at Mailhouse’s home over the years.

Everything changed during the pandemic. As the trio began spending more time together throughout quarantine, casual rehearsals gradually turned into songwriting sessions. Before long, they had written enough material to record a new album, making an unexpected return after more than 20 years.

That comeback resulted in the release of Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees in 2023, followed by another album this year, almost 35 years after the band’s conception. Earlier this year, Dogstar announced a new tour in support of their new album All in Now, bringing the band back to audiences across the country. 

Last night we had the opportunity to see Dogstar here in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium.   

Opening the evening was New York-based rock band Backfires, featuring Alex Gomez (vocals, rhythm guitar), Harry Ruprecht (guitar), Matt Walter (bass), and Dylan Spiro (drums). The quartet brought plenty of energy to the stage while previewing material from their new album, Stardust, releasing on August 7.

Then Dogstar took the stage. The trio moved through songs from All in Now, alongside tracks from Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees. The trio brought a relaxed, understated energy to the Ryman stage, which reflected onto the fans who had waited years to see them live. They also slipped a few unreleased songs into the set. We’re keeping those details under wraps, but they’re more than enough reason to catch Dogstar on this tour if you have the chance.  

If Nashville was any indication, Dogstar isn’t a band that’s revisiting its past, it’s one that is still building its future.