Waterparks Usher In New Era With "RED GUITAR"
Written by Faith Logue
Graphic by Rebekah Witt
Houston-based band Waterparks is back, ushering in their new era with the upbeat, somewhat corny, and optimistic track “RED GUITAR.” Comprised of singer/songwriter Awsten Knight, guitarist Geoff Wigington, and drummer Otto Wood, Waterparks is a hard band to define, and you’ll never know what to expect with each track. One might be full of screaming, one an acoustic ballad about being cheated on, one an experimental electronic track, and even a 0:15 track introducing the band. “RED GUITAR” is their first release with their new label, BMG, and is a pop-rock track about the band following their dreams and continuing their music career, despite feeling “fucking exhausted.”
Knight takes no time to start telling the tale of his new instrument, singing, “I just bought a brand new red guitar/With six gold strings and a whammy bar.” The track is an infectious combination of booming bass, high-pitched backing vocals, and a steady beat that gets heavier as the song progresses. Masked by these upbeat instrumentals, the song is anything but fun. Knight discusses being in a band for over a decade, feeling like it is a delusion and that he won’t ever make it and be famous like he hoped when he was 13.
“Mama said, mama said I’m a superstar” sings Knight, as he keeps wishing that this new red guitar of his will bring him further than he is now. Like other Waterparks tracks, he spends most of it rapping and talking, trying to get his point across that his younger self wishes he were famous, and despite not being at the level of fame he hoped, it is his purpose and what he is meant to do with his life.
One of the best parts of the track comes during the bridge, where the band shreds an exhilarating guitar solo that reminds me of their earlier music, which was more rock-heavy. Knight leaves the parasocial audience with one thought, saying, “But none of y’all could ever, ever hurt me.”
In true Waterparks fashion, the band released a goofy and heavy music video, with a lot to unpack. Directed by Knight, the video features a colorfully dressed choir, a creepy mask, a heartfelt talk with Awsten’s younger self, and fiery guitar solos. It makes perfect sense, though, considering the song itself is a little unserious.
Overall, “RED GUITAR” is an exciting new track from the genreless band Waterparks, ushering in a new era. After all the band has been through—two album cancellations, many terrible label deals, and breakups—this new era is a promising start and brings the group that much closer to being famous.