The Onset

The Onset
The Onset in 1990. Left to Right - Mike Badger, Tony Russell, Danny Dean, Paul Hemmings, Simon Cousins
Background information
Origin	Liverpool, England
Genres	Indie rock
Years active	1987–1995
Labels	Probe Plus, Furious Fish, The Viper Label, Generator
Associated acts	The La's, Lightning Seeds, The Catfish, Ophiuchus, Random Gender
Website	Mike Badger's Onset Page
Members	Mike Badger, 1987-1995 Hamish Cameron, 1987 Colin Becket, 1987 Danny Dean, 1987-1995 Simon Cousins, 1987-1991, 1994-1995 Rye, 1987 Sue Dring, 1987 Bernard Nolan, 1987, 1992-1994 Roger Llewellyn, 1987, 1993-1995 Nick Hrydowy, 1987 Tony Russell, 1987-1995 Paul Hemmings, 1987-1991 Brian Morrow, 1993-1994

The Onset were formed in 1987 by Mike Badger after he left his former band The La's. Mike teamed up with local Liverpool legend Danny Dean on guitar, Hamish Cameron on Piano and Colin Becket on Drums. The first demo "Let's Go Home" can be found on the 2006 compilation CD, Lo Fi Electric Excursions by Mike Badger & Friends (Gen11)

"The most arresting group in captivity. These new sweethearts of the rodeo are from Liverpool. Leader Mike Badger formerly founded and led the La's. His new band is a sort of mid-90s amalgam of the Electric Prunes meets Del Shannon meets Cat Mother and The All Night News Boys meets The Rockets meets pre Liege And Lief Fairport Convention meets Keleidoscope meets Help Yourself meets Bo Diddley meets The Fifth Avenue Band meets the Burritos, with traces of John Sebastian, Gene Clark, Poco, Phil Ochs and other great sniff-snaff thrown in. Younger than yesterday, fresher than tomorrow - The Onset"

— Pete Frame (Rock Family Trees)

Their sound was heavily influenced by American bluegrass and country music merged with a dose of punky rock 'n' roll. On hearing the demo Geoff Davies of Liverpool's independent record label Probe Plus Records arranged for the band to record their first LP The Pool Of Life (Probe 19).

The Pool Of Life was recorded at Ameritz Studios in Birkenhead during May 1988. Ten musicians contributed to the LP, but by the time of its release, the Onset's lineup had stabilised to just five. Mike and Danny being joined by Simon Cousins (from Wiltshire Folk Rock band Ophiuchus) on bass, Tony Russell on drums, and Paul Hemmings (from the La's) on guitar, slide and mandolin. The LP was greeted with rave reviews by the Music Press but failed to make any impression, with little radio or TV air play. The band made promotional videos for two tracks from the album, "Too Proud To Start" and "Precious Love".

Recording Sessions followed in 1989 at various Liverpool Studios, however no further releases until 1990 when the Onset recorded in London with Dave Dix (of Black's "Wonderful Life" fame) as their producer. With Dave Dix they recorded three songs, "What Say You", "First I Feel You" and "Two Step Angels". These were released in 1990 as the What Say You EP (Onset 1) on the Furious Fish label. To promote the EP the Onset filmed a video for "First I Feel You", playing at Liverpool's Pier Head in the old Atlantic Liner Terminal.