GREG DAWSON Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Portland native and founding member Greg Dawson has been musical all of his life. Piano lessons came to Greg's life before The Beatles, but The Beatles gave Greg the desire to play guitar and play Rock'N'Roll. They also gave Greg's parents leverage to make him practice the piano as getting and playing the guitar was tied to practicing the piano.

Greg had been in several (albeit mostly awful) small bands before leaving elementary school. The bands got better in Junior High and High School.

After High School Greg took some time off from music only playing occasionally or 'sitting in'. He toyed with the prospect of giving it up completely and at one point sold every musical instrument he owned. That didn't last long. Within a couple of years he had twice as much gear as he'd ever had.

In 1987, Greg Dawson began jamming with a couple friends almost every weekend and inadvertently began getting the occasional private party gig. Even though Probable Cause (or the band that would become Probable Cause) wasn't doing much promoting, the gigs became more frequent and eventually they were playing small clubs.

At one point friends Brad Lund, Evan Oulashin and Greg Dawson decided to get serious. Dawson bought a bunch of PA gear and they brought in Bass Connoisseur Matthew MacNaughton. With a little 'Name Storming' Probable Cause was born.

Dawson s influences are The Beatles, Elvis, Conway Twitty, Roy Orbison, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Yes, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Leo Fender, Les Paul and Bob Heil.

KENNY BRATZ - Percussion
Mr. Bratz is native to the Pacific Northwest, however he is not from the Portland area. Kenny Bratz comes from our neighbor to the east. No not the Orient, Idaho. He claims it's a great place to be 'from'.

Kenny acted as substitute Percussionist for Probable Cause for about 10 years as well as being the Exclusive Photographer of Probable Cause (you can see his handy work at www.kenbratz.net).

Around August of 2009, Kenny signed on as the official Percussion Specialist for Probable Cause and as Probable Cause rolls into 2022, our 35th year of entertaining audiences all around the Pacific Northwest, Kenny Bratz is still keeping us on time.

Kenny has proven to be a real asset to Probable Cause. He has a 'chameleon like' style that lends itself to most any type of music well.

PHIL SUSAN - Vocals/Electric Bass Guitar
Phil has been plucking that bass since he was ten years old, and he hasn't stopped since. Granted his first choice as a kid was drums, but the folks said, "Not just no, but hell no!"

He picked up a guitar and learned a few chords and the basics. Soon after he picked up a bass and found with it he could see around corners!

When the fifth grade came around Phil was touring other schools with his classmate pals in his very first band, Byrom 5 and Co.

Phil hates talking about himself and wields his scorn upon us for dragging this information out of him. Quote: "For shit's sake I hate talking about myself!"

Phil's early influences growing up were Jimmi Hendrix, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Monkees, classic rock by today's standards.

MELINDA CARLSON Vocals/Keyboard
The daughter of a retired Oregon Symphony musician and PSU music faculty alumnus, Melinda feels like a real rebel playing rock n roll!

She holds a minor in Vocal Performance from Oregon State University, and has played leading roles in musical and theatrical productions.

Melinda also runs a private studio offering piano and voice lessons, and has a long history in software sales & consulting.

Melinda joined Probable Cause in November 2014

Davie "Swiggy" McSwiggan Vocals/Lead Guitar

Swiggy joined Probable Cause in October 2021.

A native of Scotland, David spent decades playing the clubs and pubs of Glasgow and Dublin before moving to the States.

Swiggy has played in several bands since his arrival in the States. One of his more recent projects was a band called L'Eighties Nite.

Swiggy brings a lot of great energy to Probable Cause. We are fortunate and quite thrilled to have him on board!