After reuniting for their first live performance in over two decades earlier this year, alt-rock outfit Dogstar made their highly anticipated return to Detroit. (They last hit the Motor City while touring in 1999.) At a sold-out show at the Majestic Theatre on December 8th, the LA rockers – featuring Bret Domrose on guitars/lead vocals, Robert Mailhouse on drums, and Keanu Reeves (yes, that Keanu Reeves) on bass – brought their new album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees to life. Here are five moments that stood out from the set:
Archer Oh Rock the Opening Slot
Opening act Archer Oh helped set the tone for the night with their short but rollicking set. With a sound evocative of Strokes-esque garage rock, lead singer and guitarist Archer Medrano led the charge with his dynamic stage presence – from head banging to grooving while perched atop the band’s drum kit. Recent single “The Loneliest Surface” showed off Medrano and guitarist Diego Jacuinde’s intertwining riffs, while the slow and heavy instrumentation of the sludgy “Red Clouds” closed out the set with sinister flourish.
Full Album Experience
While not in exact tracklist order, Dogstar played every song from Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees throughout the course of the set. Doing so helped showcase live the sonic breadth the record has to offer, carrying the torch for a variety of sounds that ruled the airwaves from the band’s past life in the ’90s and early ’00s. “Dillon Street” provided a slice of heartland rock with its strummy instrumentation and harmonica interlude by Mailhouse; “Overhang” conjured the spirit of grunge with its slow-burning open; and “Everything Turns Around” evoked a poppier side of alt rock with its uptempo riff.
Looking Out for the Crowd
Midway through the set during “Sunrise,” Domrose noticed the crowd trying to get the band’s attention. Dogstar promptly paused the show so that medical staff could move into the middle of the audience, and the person affected appeared to be able to walk out of the crowd of their own volition. The band gave a full-fledged restart for the track, and the show continued to hum along otherwise without a hitch.
Excellent Riffs and Basslines
Some of the most memorable moments of the set prominently showcased Domrose’s guitar, Reeves’ bass, and the intertwining of the two. “Lily” featured a grooving riff, and “Glimmer” and “Sleep” both showcased some skittering guitar solos. Meanwhile, Reeves’ sturdy basslines helped provide the backbone to cuts like “Glimmer” and “Overhang.” The rip-roaring main set closer “Breach” had the best of both worlds, trading off between driving guitar riffs and bass grooves toward the end of the track.
More Cuts Beyond the New Album
After running through the entirety of the new record, Dogstar mixed a bit of the old and a bit of the new for their encore. The band nodded to longtime fans with “Halo” (from their 2000 record Happy Ending), led by its quick riff and sturdy bass. Dogstar also looked ahead with a new, unreleased track, “Shallow Easy,” keyed by Mailhouse’s solid drum beat. And final song “Jackbox” once again showcased the best of Domrose and Reeves’ chemistry, as they stood shoulder to shoulder to unleash arguably the most impressive guitar riffs and basslines of the evening.
