When Keanu Reeves is not brutally dispensing enemies as part of the John Wick film series, the actor likes to unwind with some good tunes.
In a recent interview with UK magazine NME, Reeves declared the album Blue Rev by Canadian indie-group Alvvays as his current favourite.
"I like me a good pop song and I like me a kind of inventiveness in it,” he said. “I mean, I love bass guitar and drums, and I like their energy."
The news may come as a surprise to Reeves’ younger fans because it has been a long time since the Canadian actor performed as part of former band Dogstar.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1991 just as his career was taking off with 1989 comedy Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, the group managed to tour the US, Asia and Australia and even opened for David Bowie at his 1995 Hollywood show. They released their EP Quattro Formaggi in 1996.
Such a leap, undoubtedly fuelled by Reeves’ profile, resulted in negative coverage that dogged the band’s career.
But in truth they were really not that bad.
Even a cursory listen to their two albums, available on streaming services, is enough to know that Dogstar was a serious endeavour until they disbanded in 2002.
Here is a guide to their two albums.
Our Little Visionary (1996)
Following their dour and forgotten EP Quattro Formaggi, Dogstar's debut album shows they could have some fun if they tried.
Our Little Visionary has a few crafty pop-rock songs that would be perfect for a mid-nineties sitcom.
Opening track Forgive is a joyous two-minute rush and a career highlight, while Honesty Anyway has the kind of affecting chorus that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Pearl Jam album.
Dogstar also does a fine job of conjuring some sparkling vocal harmonies in their cover of Goldfinger’s No Matter What.
However, these sunny moments are rare bright spots. The abundance of subpar mid-tempo tracks in Our Little Visionary makes it an ultimately dim experience.
Happy Ending (2000)
After smashing the box office as Neo in 1999’s The Matrix, Reeves somehow managed to find the time to get the band back in the studio for Dogstar's last album, Happy Ending.
Looking back, the move makes sense.
With the normally low-key Reeves the eye of the paparazzi storm at the time, Dogstar was a great avenue to literally be in the background and play some strident bass lines to songs mostly written by singer and guitarist Bret Domrose.
The songs may follow the kind of post-grunge blueprint similar to Collective Soul, Tonic and Fuel, but there is some finesse to the proceedings.
Single Corner Stone, an ode to a seasoned romance, has a lovely anthemic chorus, while the mandolin-heavy Washington is unexpectedly poignant.
Dogstar demonstrated, once again, their knack for playing good covers with a winning take of Superstar by The Carpenters.
This all goes to show that should Dogstar return, a career as a cracking covers band should be the way to go.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: TBA
On sale: Q2, 2020
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Results
2.15pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Hello, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihi (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Right Flank, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,000m
Winner: Leading Spirit, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Jebel Ali Mile Group 3 Dh575,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,400m
Winner: Ode To Autumn, Patrick Cosgrave, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh125,000 1,200m
Winner: Last Surprise, James Doyle, Simon Crisford.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,200m
Winner: Daltrey, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihi.
match info
Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')
Liverpool 0
