Dogstar's Celebrity Luster Might Outshine Music
Sound check: Is Dogstar just Keanu Reeves' attempt at living the rock-star fantasy?
Probably-- can't blame him. But is the rock trio Dogstar worthy of all the attention it is getting because of its hunky movie-star bass player?
Considering Dogstar's four-song EP, "Quattro Formaggi," not really. Los Angeles' Dogstar-- with bassist Reeves, singer-guitarist Bret Domrose and drummer Rob Mailhouse-- is a decent band. But Omaha hard-rock trios such as Grasshopper Takeover and Secret Skin could blow Dogstar off the stage.
That won't matter Tuesday when Dogstar plays the Ranch Bowl, 1600 S. 72nd St. Showgoers will be there to see the star of "Speed" and "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure."
Save your cheers for another Los Angeles power-pop-rock trio, Silver Jet, which will open Tuesday's 9 p.m. all-ages show. Also warming the stage will be Omaha's Ivory Star. Tickets are $13 in advance, $14 day of show. Venue line: 393-0900.
If you want more Dogstar, surf to http://www.dogstarfan.com on the Net. The band recorded a full-length album, "Our Little Visionary," for Zoo Entertainment. But Zoo recently was bought by another company, which opted not to issue it. However, you can get "Our Little Visionary" via the band's Web site or at Tuesday's show.
Silver Jet's Power-Pop Opening Act Well Worth Catching
by Jim Minge
World-Herald Staff Writer
Before all the screaming begins Tuesday at the Ranch Bowl, 1600 S. 72nd St., save a moment for Silver Jet.
The rock trio from Los Angeles is one of two bands (the other is Omaha's Ivory Star) scheduled to open Tuesday's all-ages show for headliner Dogstar, which features actor Keanu Reeves on bass. Dogstar has been getting a lot of attention lately. Unfortunately, it is because of the band's bass player, not its music.
That is why fans of good, straight-ahead rock should get to the Ranch Bowl early to hear one of the brightest young rock trios currently on the road. The band brought a standing-room-only Ranch Bowl crowd to its feet last year when it opened a Dishwalla-Refreshments bill.
Silver Jet's melodic high-flying grooves emit fumes of Tom Petty (on "Free to Roam" and "All You Are"), Nirvana (on "Kid") and the Ramones (on Meant to Be"). But Silver Jet frontman Luke Tierney, drummer Grant Conway and bassman Jeff Gross have a knack for crafting their own biting sound, which is evident on the band's debut album, "Pull Me Up...Drag Me Down" (Virgin).
Silver Jet frontman Tierney took a few minutes to talk from a tour stop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Q. How have the shows with Dogstar gone so far?
A. It's been a lot of fun. The clubs have been packed-- with girls, mostly.
There have been a lot of girls at the shows.
Q. Is Dogstar good live?
A. They're actually pretty good. I think they're up against a little more
than your average band just because of him (Reeves) being in the band.
Everyone is really testing them as opposed to just listening to them.
Q. What is the plan for Silver Jet after this summer's tour?
A. We're going to England for the Reading Festival at the end of August. We
were in England a couple of months ago, too.
Q. How were the English audiences?
A. We played a show in London, which is like playing New York or playing Los
Angeles--the audiences are a little more jaded. We actually had a great
reaction. I think there's just something about our music that appeals to the
English music fans. We played another gig, in Leeds, and that was a lot more
hyperactive but great, too.
Q. Why do you prefer a trio lineup?
A.We got tired of dealing with all these flaky guitar players. Besides, the
band is so much stronger as a trio. I think musically it helped for dynamics,
because we could control the peaks and valleys with the just the three of
us-- less clutter.
Q. What was the inspiration of "Kid", your next single?
A. It's the story that it tells, which was the scene in Los Angeles where all
these bands were getting signed and everything was happening for them. It's
also a mock at how household the word 'alternative' has become, and it's just
sort of spoofing all those things.
Q. Are you anti-alternative?
A. I totally embrace and thank God for alternative music, whatever that means
at this
point. It's funny that it has become a household word. What does it mean? I
think one thing will always be true-- no matter what the style is-- and that
is there will always be people writing good songs.
Q. Any parting shots?
A. I just want the people who went to our Omaha show last year to know that
we lost our entire Omaha fan list that people signed up for that night, and
that we'll have a new sign-up sheet at Tuesday's show.
Tickets are $13 in advance, $14 day of show. Doors open at 8 p.m.
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