Waterparks is an American pop-punk band that formed in Houston, Texas in 2011. The trio consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Awsten Knight, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Geoff Wigington, and drummer and backing vocalist Otto Wood.
Waterparks’ Journey from Local Shows to Warped Tour
Waterparks got their start playing local shows around the Houston area in 2012. They released two independent EPs, Airplane Conversations in 2012 and Black Light in 2014. The band started gaining a following and caught the attention of Equal Vision Records, who they signed with in late 2015.
The Madden brothers of Good Charlotte fame took the band under their wing in 2016, with Benji Madden co-producing the band’s EP Cluster. That EP featured My Chemical Romance’s Mikey Way on bass. Waterparks supported Never Shout Never on tour in early 2016 and landed a coveted spot on the entire Warped Tour that summer, exposing them to large crowds.
Waterparks Release Debut Album Double Dare in 2016
The band released their debut full-length album Double Dare in November 2016 on Equal Vision Records. It featured the singles “Stupid for You,” “Hawaii (Stay Awake),” and “Royal.” Alternative Press called it “an upbeat pop-rock album drenched in a vibrant, neon glow.”
The band supported Sleeping with Sirens and State Champs on tour in late 2016. In 2017, Waterparks toured the UK with All Time Low before joining them again on the Young Renegades U.S. arena tour that summer, playing to some of the biggest crowds of their career so far.
Entertainment Makes a Splash for Waterparks in 2018
Waterparks’ second album Entertainment dropped in January 2018, led by singles “Blonde,” “Lucky People,” and “Not Warriors.” The record debuted at #98 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rock Sound gave it a perfect 10/10 score, writing that it’s “fun and quirky in all the right places” with “buckets of personality.”
The band embarked on their biggest headlining tour to date in 2018, selling out venues across the U.S. They also appeared on the final cross-country Warped Tour. In early 2019, Waterparks did an extensive UK and European headlining run.
Fandom Cements Waterparks’ Status as Pop-Punk Leaders
Waterparks signed with Hopeless Records in 2019 and released their highly-anticipated third album Fandom that October. Singles like “Watch What Happens Next” and “Dream Boy” showcased a more mature yet still undeniably catchy sound.
Fandom peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums chart and #32 on the Billboard 200, their highest placements yet. Kerrang! praised it as “next-level stuff” while Rock Sound proclaimed “Waterparks have never sounded so self-assured.” The band planned to embark on their biggest world tour yet in 2020 before the pandemic hit.
Waterparks’ Greatest Hits Reaches New Heights in 2021
In May 2021, Waterparks released their fourth studio album, the boldly titled Greatest Hits, on 300 Entertainment. Singles “Lowkey As Hell,” “Snow Globe,” and “Numb” found the band incorporating even more hip-hop, punk, and electronic influences into their ever-evolving sound.
Greatest Hits became the band’s first top 20 album, debuting at #17 on the Billboard 200. Alternative Press marveled that “the album twists and turns with rocket-fueled unpredictability” while Dork called it “a bright, exciting record with ambition to spare.” A sold-out U.S. headlining tour followed in late 2021.
The Future Looks Bright for Waterparks
With four acclaimed albums now under their belt, Waterparks has cemented their status as one of the most popular and creatively ambitious pop-punk bands of their generation. The band signed with noted pop-punk label Fueled By Ramen in 2023 and released their fifth album, the genre-bending Intellectual Property.
Lead single “Funeral Grey” became the band’s first top 20 hit on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart. The album was praised by Kerrang! as their most eclectic yet cohesive work to date. A massive world tour is planned for 2024 as the band’s upward trajectory shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The future looks very bright for this innovative, ever-evolving band.
