This is yet another show I went to knowing very little about either band. I had heard a couple of Dogstar songs, but I still wasn’t really familiar with their catalog. For me, these are some of the best shows I go to, because I’m always looking to expose myself to new songs, new artists, and music I’m not familiar with. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always go see my favorite artists as much as I possibly can, but music is so transformative that I don’t want to miss out on something great.
I have to give a quick plug to the Fillmore. It’s my favorite venue in the Twin Cities. The staff is always so kind, the sight lines are great, and it’s just an incredible place to see a live show.
The Backfires
I always make it a point to show up for the opening act, because you never know if you’re seeing a band that could blow up and become huge. The Backfires were a lot of fun to listen to.
I never want to put a band in a box, but when I’m writing these reviews and you’re reading them, maybe without ever having heard these bands, I have to give you some context for what I’m hearing. Alex Gomez, the lead singer, had a real Liam Gallagher from Oasis vibe going. They aren’t really like the band Oasis, they just have that vibe. The songs were very strong and pop oriented, but relatively moody. They were definitely trying to steer you in a direction.
They opened with their song “Stardust,” which really set the mood for the entire show. The crowd showed up early to see them, and the band really encouraged everyone to get involved, especially on the last song, “I Want You.” That’s the one I liked best, because it was up tempo and different from the other songs they had been playing.
They’re originally from London, and this was their first time in the Twin Cities. They were a really good opening act for Dogstar, and I would definitely go see them again. As always, check them out on Spotify. They have a lot of songs up that you can listen to and get a taste.
Dogstar
As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t know what to expect from Dogstar either. They did an in-store appearance in Los Angeles when I was out there for a show (I can’t even remember which one anymore), and the line wrapped around the block. I’m sure a lot of those people were there just to meet Keanu Reeves, the movie star, and I’m guessing many of them had no idea about the band he’s in.
They’re a three piece, and as I stood back and listened, they really reminded me of the ’80s. I mean that in the very best sense. They could have been a band right in the middle of everything going on around the pop bands of that era. And I don’t mean Huey Lewis and the News. I mean more like Love and Rockets, The Cure, The Replacements, and others I would consider more alternative rock, but nothing like the Seattle sound of the early 1990s. For those of you reading this who live in Minneapolis, it had a very First Ave feeling, straight out of the 1980s.
I knew I was going to like them before they even came out. Bands usually choose the songs played over the PA while the roadies are setting up their gear, and I was very pleasantly surprised to hear one of my favorite Cheap Trick songs, “Reach Out,” in that rotation. I was probably the only one there who knew that song, and that’s OK too. When you’re getting to know a band, you always wonder what their influences were. It helps tie things together. I’ve discovered so much music that was recommended to me by bands I really like.
They included one cover in their set, The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter.” Other than that, it was all original material. They opened with “Siren” and closed with “Breach.”
I wish I had prepared more and listened to more of their music before the show, but like all of us, we get so busy and sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. I really enjoyed what I heard tonight, and I’ll definitely pick up some of their records and give them a spin. Their music is right in my wheelhouse.
I think this was the last night of the tour, but I’m not positive. If they sound like something you’d be interested in, keep an eye out online to see if they’re coming anywhere near you soon.
DOGSTAR
THE BACKFIRES