Keanu Reeves’ Musical Journey: The Transformative Bass Lesson from Flea
In 2023, the beloved Hollywood icon keanu reeves made waves in the music scene with the reunion of his band Dogstar, releasing their much-anticipated album, Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees. this comeback was complemented by an extensive tour that covered nearly 100 performances.
now, three years later, Dogstar has unveiled their sophomore album, All In Now. This new record further solidifies Reeves’ identity as a genuine bass guitarist, moving beyond his status as a Hollywood star. The album features intricate basslines and rhythmically rich tracks, earning him the playful moniker “Chordal Reeves.”
“He plays a multitude of chords on the bass,” noted brett Domrose, the bandS singer and guitarist, in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times.
“That’s how it all began when I first met Keanu,” added drummer Ribert Mailhouse. “Initially, it was just him on bass and me on drums, with no guitar player.”
While Reeves often keeps his acting and music careers separate, he had the unique opportunity to receive a personal lesson from Flea, the legendary bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, during the filming of Gus Van Sant’s 1991 film My Own Private Idaho.
“Flea is an incredible artist and an amazing person. He didn’t provide me with a technical lesson; instead, he offered a philosophical one,” Reeves shared in a 2024 interview with Bass Player. “It reminded me of surfing; you just have to dive in and experience it.”
“I could teach you the technical aspects – how to balance,how to duck,how to get on the board,how to pop up. But ultimately, you need to be in the water to understand it, to learn about the waves, and that comes from experience,” he continued.
“He wasn’t saying, ’When you slap, don’t use too much of yoru arm; just focus on your hand.’ It was more about the essence of playing: ‘Just play it,feel it.’ I found that to be incredibly profound.”
Reflecting on that spontaneous lesson, Reeves remarked, “I’m still on the journey of learning how to ‘play it, feel it.’ Its a continuous process, isn’t it?”
In the same interview, Reeves expressed humility regarding his musical journey, stating he doesn’t feel deserving of a signature bass. He also shared insights into which bass guitars his most iconic film characters would choose.
