It was 1991. Imagine walking into a Gelson’s supermarket in Southern California, just looking for some groceries, and bumping into a guy who looks suspiciously like the dude from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. That’s exactly what happened to Robert Mailhouse. He was wearing a Detroit Red Wings hockey sweater. Keanu Reeves, a massive hockey fan who basically lived on the ice in his head, walked up and asked if Mailhouse needed a goalie.
They didn't talk about movies. They didn't talk about Hollywood. They talked about pucks and sticks.
Eventually, that conversation moved from the frozen food aisle to a garage. They started jamming. They brought in Gregg Miller on guitar, then later Bret Domrose, and suddenly, Keanu Reeves and Dogstar weren't just a hobby—they were a touring band opening for David Bowie and Bon Jovi.
But then, they just... stopped. For twenty-three years, the bass stayed in the case. Or so we thought.
The Myth of the "Actor's Vanity Project"
Most people assume celebrity bands are just ego trips. You know the vibe: a famous guy buys a vintage Gibson, hires some pro session players to hide his mistakes, and plays three shows at the Viper Room before getting bored.
Dogstar was always different. Honestly, being "Keanu’s band" was actually a massive hurdle for them in the 90s. Critics were brutal. If you weren't playing "real" grunge or screaming your lungs out in 1995, the press didn't know what to do with you. Robert Mailhouse once joked that they were basically a 70s storytelling band that got lost in the 90s.
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Keanu wasn't there to be the frontman. He specifically chose the bass because he wanted to be part of the rhythm section—the foundation. He’s a "bottom-end" guy. If you watch them live today, he’s usually tucked back by the drums, eyes closed, locked in with Mailhouse’s kick drum. It’s not a performance; it’s a meditation.
Why the 2002 Breakup Wasn't Actually a Breakup
After their 2000 album Happy Ending, the band played a final show in Japan in 2002 and then seemingly vanished. People figured the "Matrix" fame finally made it impossible to tour.
The truth is way more low-key. They just had other stuff to do.
They never actually "broke up" in the traditional sense of throwing chairs and suing each other. They remained best friends. They’d meet up at Mailhouse’s place in Silver Lake just to jam. No cameras. No recording. Just three guys playing music because they liked the sound of it.
The reunion in 2020 wasn't some grand commercial scheme. It was a byproduct of the pandemic. Locked down and bored, the eight-hour jam sessions turned into actual songwriting. Within two months, they had enough material for a whole new record.
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The Gear and the Sound: Somewhere Between Power Lines and Palm Trees
When they finally emerged with their 2023 album, Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees, the sound had shifted. It’s mature. It feels like a California sunset—a bit hazy, a little melancholic, but driving.
Keanu’s setup for the 2024 and 2026 tours isn't some beginner's kit. He’s serious about his tone.
- The Rig: He’s currently rocking a Gallien-Krueger Fusion 1200S head.
- The Cabinets: A pair of RBH 410 cabs. That’s 1200 watts of power.
- The Basses: He’s been seen with a custom Jackson Matrix Bass, but he also frequently leans on a classic Fender Precision Bass and a Music Man Stingray.
The song "Dillon Street" on the new album actually pushed him out of his comfort zone. He usually likes to keep things simple and "hold it down," but the band pushed him to write a bass line that moves around more. He admitted in interviews that it was "scary" to improvise with everyone watching, but that’s the kind of vulnerability you don't get from a vanity project.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Tour
If you’re planning to catch them on their 2026 "All In Now" UK and European Tour, don't expect a movie premiere atmosphere.
The crowd is a weird, wonderful mix. You’ve got the hardcore 90s alt-rock fans, the "John Wick" devotees who just want to be in the same room as Keanu, and actual gear-head musicians who realize these guys can actually play.
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Upcoming 2026 Tour Highlights:
- London: June 13 at the Roundhouse.
- Amsterdam: June 16 at Paradiso.
- Paris: June 17 at L’Olympia.
- Festival Circuit: They’re hitting Download (June 14), Pinkpop (June 21), and Mad Cool (July 8).
One thing to note: the band is fiercely independent now. They released the new album on their own label, Dillon Street Records. No suits. No corporate mandates. Just Bret Domrose’s songwriting, Mailhouse’s pocket, and Reeves’ low end.
How to Support the Band (The Right Way)
If you're heading to a show, remember that Keanu is famously private. Fans who "rush the stage" for a selfie usually end up disappointed because the security is tight, and the band is there for the music, not a meet-and-greet photo op.
- Listen to the new stuff first. Don't just show up for the nostalgia. Tracks like "Everything Turns Around" and "Breach" are genuinely good alt-rock songs that stand on their own.
- Check the VIP packages. On the 2024 US run, they offered soundcheck access where they actually let people bring memorabilia to get signed—this is often the only way to get an autograph without being "that person" stalking the tour bus.
- Follow the music, not the gossip. The band’s official Instagram is the best place for real updates, not the tabloids.
Keanu Reeves and Dogstar have survived three decades because they didn't try to be anything other than what they are: three friends who like the way a bass, a drum kit, and a guitar sound in a room together. Whether they're playing a dive bar or a massive festival in Portugal, that vibe hasn't changed since the grocery store in '91.
To dive deeper, go listen to Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees on any streaming platform. If you want to see them live, check the official Dogstar website for 2026 ticket availability before the European dates sell out, as many venues are already at 90% capacity.