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. Paul’s bass playing was influenced by Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Nathan East and Les Claypoole. Paul always wanted to be a trapeze artist. That’s why he plays the bass: it swings. Sam Cannariato (vocals, lead guitar) hails from the frozen northlands of Illinois. Despite being a Yankee he’s an OK guy, who has lived in Texas for a total of 15 years. Sam’s guitar playing was influenced by Dave Navarro, Mike Campbell, J. Mascius, George Harrison and (he’s 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 won’t 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. Jim’s guitar playing was influenced by Frank Zappa, George Harrison, and seminal ‘80’s comedy “Ghostbusters.” Needless to say, he ain’t 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, Lota’s 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.