Bios | Beadhead

Steve Karakas

Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals

Steve is the founder of Beadhead. He started his rock and roll career long ago playing with Jay Lundell. After a stint with a band from Berkeley, CA, he came back to Portland and played 20 years with the Sludge Bros. He played in other Portland bands which eventuallly morphed into Beadhead. He plays guitar, keyboards and sings in Beadhead. Steve occasionally brings out the accordion when the Beadhead "Eclectric Trio" plays specialized Buffett and zydeco gigs.

Jay Lundell

Drums, Vocals

Jay is the consummate drumming "Groovemaster." He's played in funk, country, blues, and rock bands. He was a member of Portland's popular Rainbow in the 70s and has recorded a number of CDs as a member of Ellen Whyte's band. Jay was inducted into the Cascade Blues Hall of Fame. Add to that his PhD and you have a "Doctor of Funkology." Jay joined Beadhead in 2010 and adds his vocal as well as drumming talents to the band.

Dave Rosenberg

Bass, Vocals

Dave is one of the most "in demand" bassists in Portland. He joined Beadhead in 2015. He's from Albany NY and attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music. After a number of years playing in Nashville he came to Portland and started playing with a number of high profile bands. He is currently playing with genre specific bands--country rock, Elvis Costello tribute, Dead/jam bands and a host of others. We're happy to have his talents with Beadhead.

Mike Suffin

Guitar, Vocals

Mike joined Beadhead in 2018 and is the consummate guitarist. He's from the San Francisco Bay Area and played in club circuits where he honed his skills five and six nights a week. He even appeared with Eddie Money on occasion. He's an accomplished slide player and has been a guitar instructor. In addition to Beadhead you can find Mike playing country rock, Bruce Spingsteen tribute--and in any guitar shop--he has dozens of guitars, amps and pedals that helps exhuast his bank account

Chris Timberlake
Lead Vocals

Chris came out of the Southwest music scene writing and performing original music with her bands Siren and Bullet Proof Soul. Chris’s original music has been featured on MTV and is in the MTV Library, and she has worked with Grammy-winning musicians and producers. She has headlined at legendary venues like the Whisky-a-Go-Go in LA and the Hard Rock Cafe. She moved to Portland with her family in 2012 and, while she continues writing original music, she has joined the PDX music scene as the newest member of Beadhead.

Beadhead Alums

Beadhead started in 2003 and there have been a number of musicians who have been on stage over the years. Flor Fernandez was an early guitarist. Bob Hawkins was the first drummer. Bill Piland (RIP) was the original bassist. He was followed by Jeff Gadette and Scott Bickford on bass. John DiFalco (RIP) was the longstanding lead guitarist. Shannon Walker was lead vocalist and was followed by Terri Arnett. Shakara provided percussion for many Beadhead years.