I became interested in guitar at age 14, my parents bought my first acoustic and after two lessons I decided to go it alone and teach myself.
At 17 I formed a non-professional progressive blues band - "Anubis" playing a mixture of self-penned material and blues covers, then followed periods with MoBirch and "Little Acre"and "Four on the Floor".
Currently I'm working as a solo acoustic player, and occasionally with the band 'Ka'enobi'.
During live performances I use guitars and mandolins, but record with many different instruments including banjo, kora and percussion. The music I record and perform is all original material written by myself and my wife Anita.
Many of the songs refer to world issues such as nuclear waste and testing, the problems created by the legacy of empire building (notably the Sudan and in Australia the plight of the Aborigines), war and conflict and problems facing the third world.
There is also room for songs of love's lost and gained, plus a little frivolity/humour and a number of instrumentals.

Homespun

Dave's first release in 1998 was the album "Homespun". Recorded at home with a raw rootsy sound, containing the legendary "Shitfaced in Azda" and "Seven Pillars" instrumentals.

Six Degrees

The second album, Six Degrees of Separation, features Micky Barker on percussion and also his son Spike on double bass. Dave makes his first recording using Kora and adds Didgeridoo courtesy of Ian Shaw.

The album is self produced with the exception of Global Man which was produced by Richard Tandy (ex ELO).

"More folk hues from singer-songwriter Dave Onions who, in tandem with co-writer Anita Ostrowski, turns up with his second album in as many years..a folk-blues affair veined with songs of social and political import (subjects include homelessness, European exploitation of the third world and Aboriginal oppression) as well as personal concerns. The sandpapery voice conjuring thoughts of Gerry Rafferty, Sting, Alan Hull and Chris Rea, though the musical and lyrical moods are more in tune with Christy Moore and Bruce Cockburn and his acoustic guitar work evocative of Page (especially in the ethnic colourings), Harper and Thompson." Mike Davies, The Beat.

Plus a "thumbs up" (no mean feat!) from Froots mag, June 2000

".....It's all his own work too - don't you hate these talented people?"Andy Taylor, Ryan's Guide.

Some People

Dave's new solo album is now available

Ka'enobi Live

Dave's collaboration with some notable Birmingham Musicians