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Member Since: 8/10/2006
Band Members:
Bret Domrose - Guitar, Vocals
When Bret Domrose moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to start a new band, life was tough - no doubt about it. Sleeping on friends couches and placing ads in music magazines, he took his hard knocks and thought a lot about the kind of band he wanted to be in this time around.
Having left behind a long string of gigs in San Francisco - including a few cover bands and the well - known punk outfit, the Nuns - Bret was no stranger to the rocker lifestyle. It was in his blood since the day he first picked up a guitar at age 11.
His break came in the summer of 1994, when he brushed shoulders with Dogstar while on hold to tour as Sheryl Crows guitarist. Hitting it off with Keanu and Rob, he joined the band after a couple of jam sessions.
The creative synergy was good, and soon Bret was penning most of the bands original lyrics. In his edgy, very personal style, he wrote what he knows best - songs about everyday people struggling through life; songs about kindness and cruelty, love and loneliness, exhilaration and despair.
Born: December 13, 1968 in Santa Clara, CA
Grew Up: San Jose, CA
Favorite Group: The Replacements
Musical Influences: The Edge from U2 for his guitar playing Paul Westerburg from the Replacements for his lyrics Elton John for his overall song writing
Keanu Reeves - Bass
"I am happiest on stage," says Keanu Reeves - because for him, nothing is cooler than life in a touring rock band.
Keanu acknowledges the skepticism that his music venture has created. Without a doubt, hes gotten flak from people who want to pigeonhole him as an actor and nothing else.
Whatever. Hes cool with it.
"I admit that my acting career has given us some opportunities to be heard, and we are grateful for that. But in the end it comes down to the music, and I feel good about what we are doing."
Starting the four-stringed bass at age 23 with a single lesson, he spent hours a day over the next few years teaching himself the moves. It fast became a private obsession. The whole time he rose to fame as a superstar actor, his favorite place was his garage - thats where he could hide away and pick at the bass in peace. It wasnt until his chance encounter with Rob that he started jamming with others.
The rest? Dogstar history.
Born: September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon
Grew Up: Toronto, Canada
Favorite Groups: John Coltrane, Ramones, Exploited, Joy Division, Clash, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Lync, Robert Johnson
Musical Influences: Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding
Rob Mailhouse - Drums
When your creative juices flow in different directions, it can make for tough choices. Dogstar drummer and actor Rob Mailhouse knows this better than anyone. Ask him and hell tell you: its not easy having two passions.
It all started in high school when Rob took up piano and acting. After graduation, he bought a keyboard and fell headlong into the post punk and new wave scenes in Washington, DC, playing at parties and small clubs.
Putting away his keyboard for a while, he earned a BFA at Catholic University while concentrating on theatre. A move to New York in the late 80s reawakened the musician in him. Inspired by the citys turbo-charged club scene, Rob returned to playing keyboard - this time making loft tapes for bars, coffeeshops, and Andy Warhol parties.
In 1990, Rob moved to L.A. for a two-year stint on Days of Our Lives. It was during this time that he became friends with Keanu and once again fell into music. During their jam sessions, Rob switched from keyboard to become Dogstars drummer. Commenting on the bands ups and downs, he observes, "We never had a chance to grow naturally. But we just wouldnt go away because we felt really strong about what were doing."
Born: January 22, 1962 in New Haven, CT
Grew Up: Branford, CT and Washington, DC
Musical Influences: The Beatles, Beck, David Bowie, The Clash, Coldplay, Brian Eno, Jimi Hendrix, Joy Division, Led Zeppelin, New Order, Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, The Smiths, The Verve, The Who
Influences:
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DOGSTAR Label Information:
Record Label: Zoo Entertainment BMG
Type of Label: Indie