Waterparks

Waterparks is a US rock band from Houston, Texas, active since 2011. The group consists of Awsten Knight, who handles lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Geoff Wigington on backing vocals and guitar, and Otto Wood on drums. Their sound is associated with pop punk, pop rock, alternative pop, alternative rock, emo pop and neon pop punk, and their work also draws on pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, electronic and R&B elements.

Releases and development

The band releases three EPs, including Airplane Conversations and Black Light, which they issue independently, and Cluster, which comes out through Equal Vision Records. They sign with Equal Vision in 2015 and release the single “Crave” as the lead track from Cluster. The EP appears in January 2016 and is co-produced by Benji Madden and Courtney Ballard, with bass parts performed by Mikey Way of My Chemical Romance.

Waterparks release their debut studio album, Double Dare, in 2016. It contains 13 songs and is preceded by the singles “Stupid For You”, “Hawaii (Stay Awake)” and “Royal”. Their second album, Entertainment, follows in 2017 and includes 10 tracks, with “Blonde”, “Lucky People” and “Not Warriors” issued beforehand.

After Entertainment, the band signs to Hopeless Records and releases FANDOM, their third full-length album. They later issue their first live album, FANDOM: LIVE IN THE UK, drawn from a recorded show during the FANDOM tour.

In 2020, Waterparks release “Lowkey as Hell” and then sign to 300 Entertainment. The following year they release “Snow Globe” and announce Greatest Hits, their fourth studio album. Singles for the album include “Numb”, “You’d Be Paranoid Too (If Everyone Was Out To Get You)”, “Just Kidding” and “Violet!”

The band later signs to Fueled by Ramen and releases “FUNERAL GREY”, “SELF-SABOTAGE” and “FUCK ABOUT IT” featuring blackbear, ahead of their fifth album, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. They also release “REAL SUPER DARK” and “BRAINWASHED” before the album appears. After the album’s release, they issue the track “SNEAKING OUT OF HEAVEN”.

Touring and live activity

Waterparks tour extensively in support of their records. They play the Black Cat Tour supporting Never Shout Never, appear on the 2016 Warped Tour, and support Sleeping with Sirens on the End The Madness Tour. They play Slam Dunk festival in 2016 and 2017, and headline a UK tour with Chapel and The Bottom Line, selling out all dates. They also tour the US with As It Is, Chapel and Sleep On It.

Later touring includes the FANDOM Tour, an A Night Out on Earth tour with Zeph, Phem and Arrested Youth, and dates supporting My Chemical Romance in Albany, Montreal, Toronto and Los Angeles. They also play Sad Summer Fest with acts including State Champs, Mayday Parade, Hot Mulligan and Neck Deep, and tour Europe with Bad Suns and Phem. On television, they perform on MTV.

Other projects and connections

Awsten Knight also starts an online clothing brand called Hii-Def. Earlier in their career, Waterparks perform with Good Charlotte during the group’s comeback show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood. The band is also associated with management by Benji Madden and Joel Madden, and their recordings involve collaborations with Courtney Ballard and Mikey Way.