Dave Kushner was born in Los Angeles on November 16 1966 and entered the rock world as the guitarist for Wasted Youth. He played bass on that band's second full-length album 'Black Daze' (1988), as well as rhythm and lead guitar on the Van Halen cover 'On Fire'. About year later he left the band, before they released their next album.

Not long after he left Wasted Youth, he joined the Electric Love Hogs. Other members of this band included 'Goldfinger's John Feldman (vocals, guitar) and Kelly LeMieux (bass), Orgy's Bobby Hewitt (then Bobby Fernandez, drums) and guitarist Donni Campion. They got together originally in San Diego, CA and the band named itself 'Electric Love Hogs' in a satirical swipe at the L.A. glam rock scene of the late '80s. They released just one album on the London Records label, and toured with L.A. Guns in the U.S. and Ugly Kid Joe in the U.K.

During the making of the Love Hogs record, producer Mark Dodson was also working on a record with a band called Infectious Grooves. This band consisted of Cyco Miko Muir (vocals) and Robert Trujillo (bass) of Suicidal Tendencies. They asked Dave to play a solo on the song 'Punk It Up', which was the first single off the album 'The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move' in 1991.

After quitting the Electric Love Hogs, Dave and Kelly LeMieux formed a band called Lit with Joey Castillo (QOTSA). After a few lineup changes, the final band consisted of Bobby Hewitt on drums, Jar Gordon on bass, Amir Derakh on guitar and a singer named Eric. After a year and a half, Dave was asked to play guitar with the band Sugartooth, which was signed to Geffen Records. At this point, Lit disbanded and sold their name to the band that later made the name somewhat famous.

Then Dave returned to work with Cyco Miko Muir on songs for Cyco's album 'Lost My Brain (Once Again)' in 1995. After that, Dave also played in Danzig for about 9 months in 1996. He only did one show with them at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood. The Danzig line up at that time included Blasko (Rob Zombie) on bass and Joey Castillo on drums.

A year later, in 1997, he appeared on the 'Suicidal Tendencies' compilation album 'Friends & Family', which was released in December of that year.

Japan calls in 1998, and Dave joins the hard rock band 'Zilch,' formed by Japanese guitarist Hide. Unfortunately, Hide died right before their record came out, and the other members decided to tour to pay tribute to him. This is where Dave met up with Duff McKagan, who was touring Japan with his band Loaded.

In 2001, Dave was also musical director for Dave Navarro's touring band for the 'Trust No One' record.

In the spring of 2002, Dave joined Loaded, replacing guitarist Mike Squires, who left the band together with bassist Jeff Rouse to play in their band Alien Crime Syndicate. Loaded played their first show in the new lineup at Hollywood's Viper Room, with Dave and Duff in the lineup. Loaded took a 'break' in late 2002, and that's when Duff started working on a new project that Dave would also become a member of.

In December 2002, Dave joined 'The Project', the band of Slash, Duff and Matt Sorum, who had previously been rehearsing with Buckcherry's Josh Todd and Keith Nelson. Neither of those guys earned a slot in the band, but Dave had what it took to be a member of the band. And while Izzy Stradlin sometimes came by to write and play with the band, Dave, Slash, Duff and Matt went on the hunt for a vocalist. They eventually found Scott Weiland and Velvet Revolver was born.

And on December 6th, 2003 he married his then girlfriend Christine.