Davenport (US)
1,276 plays
13,524 views
13,524 views
Davenport, the Dallas-based modern rock quintet, mixes classic rock and pop influences with their own slightly off-kilter sense of humor to create a unique style of music. Their energetic stage show contains mostly original songs, and their three-part harmonies and pop sensibilities embody their self-proclaimed comfy music. Four songwriters make for a diverse body of material, and an always-interesting listening experience.
Formed in 1997 by Paul Paulie The Flight Blanchard, Sam Cannariato and Jim Chief Thundercock Walter, and joined in early 1998 by Rick Fingers Fontaine, Davenport spent much of 97 and 98 living in the same house in Richardson, TX, in a very Monkees-esque environment. Aside from the constant zany, madcap antics, the band began to gel musically, a process that was completed by the addition of Kent Corley on drums in March of 1999. The member breakdown is as follows:
Paul Paulie the Flight Blanchard (vocals, bass) is a Dallas native who learned to sing at an early age, on the knee of his father Dan Saratoga Red Blanchard, himself an ex-country musician. Pauls bass playing was influenced by Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Nathan East and Les Claypoole. Paul always wanted to be a trapeze artist. Thats why he plays the bass: it swings.
Sam Cannariato (vocals, lead guitar) hails from the frozen northlands of Illinois. Despite being a Yankee hes an OK guy, who has lived in Texas for a total of 15 years. Sams guitar playing was influenced by Dave Navarro, Mike Campbell, J. Mascius, George Harrison and (hes loathe to admit) Paul Blanchard.
Kent Kentraufomus Corley (drums) is a Terrell, TX native and the least flaky drummer in the history of the Universe (and we should know, cause we checked). He was trained to kill by the US government, and was influenced by Neil Pert, Mick Fleetwood and Ringo. Despite his strange beard, he is not Amish, although he wont wear shorts in public, and we think that applies somehow.
Rick Fingers Fontaine (vocals, keyboards, guitar) was born in Arizona, and bears the unique distinction of having both the best facial hair in Davenport (perhaps in the world) and having the most nicknames (including Ricardo Fuentes, Fontano, Fontie, Ricker Khan, Funk-taine, Swan-Taine, Rick Lucky Fountain, to name a few). He tickles the plastics in the same vein as Billy Preston and Rick Wakeman.
Jim Chief Thundercock Walter (vocals, rhythm and slide guitar) was born in Houston, TX, and used to have this really long hair that he cut off. The most bizarre person in Davenport, he also has the best nickname. Jims guitar playing was influenced by Frank Zappa, George Harrison, and seminal 80s comedy Ghostbusters. Needless to say, he aint afraid of no ghosts.
Davenport has been gigging around Dallas since 1998, playing at such Dallas venues as Club Da Da, Atlantis, the Sandbar, the Winedale Tavern, Lotas Goat, the Lakewood Bar and Grill, the (now defunct) Stepladr Club, and a few others.
While no one will ever accuse Davenport of being cutting-edge, their listenable brand of music and tongue-in-cheek presentation allows them to take their music very seriously while never taking themselves seriously. Combining the best parts of binge drinking, clinical insanity, and the majesty of rock n roll, it is most definitely Comfy.Have you performed in front of an audience?We played regularly at such Dallas hot spots as Club Dada, The Stepladr Pub (in the storage room), The Winedale Tavern, and Lota's Goat.
Your musical influences
Beatles, Tom Petty, Rush, Frank Zappa, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, YesFon-tunes
22 songs · 2 artists
Every song on Soundclick that I've been involved with
By @riffingers
PLAY IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT
19 songs · 19 artists
By @rakukd
Yes! Davenport are crafty merchants of song indeed!Egg-celent music upon which my straight ears fly like birds on wing...Revolutionary! Mind-boggling! Music !All comments (4)
1,276 plays
13,524 views
13,524 views
Admin
Rick
@riffingers
don't know if anyone is out there but Davenport freaking rules....what happen to you guys.....you f(&king rock and you're music is missed!!!!!!!!!!! from you eternal fan................