Mark Watrous is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and graphic/video artist from Richland, Washington. He is best known as a former member of the band Gosling (also known as Loudermilk). ^{[1] [2]} Watrous is currently a member of Earl Burrows and the Shins ^[3] and has routinely performed as a touring member of the Raconteurs, the Greenhornes, Shudder to Think, Brendan Benson, and Karen Elson among others.

Biography

Loudermilk (1995–2004)

In 1995, ^[4] friends Davey Ingersoll (vocals, guitar), Mark Watrous (guitar), Shane Middleton (bass) and Issac Carpenter (drums) formed the hard rock quartet Loudermilk ^{[5] [6]} in Tri-Cities, Washington. ^{[4] [7]} They released their own album, Man with Gun Kills Three!, independently in 1998. ^{[4] [5] [7]} After hearing an unauthorized demo, ^[6] American Recordings subsequently signed the group. ^{[4] [5]} Commenting on the demoes, Ingersoll stated that the demo was made just to get songs down and that "It was something [he] didn't even want people to hear". ^[6] Despite touring with groups such as Mötley Crüe and Megadeth, ^{[4] [5] [6]} they were dropped from the label. ^{[4] [5]} Speaking about the group being dropped from the label, Ingersoll stated:

"It was a learning experience [...] We didn't deliver the record they were expecting, whatever that was. The whole thing was like an episode of 'Behind The Music'." ^[6]

DreamWorks Records signed them in early 2002. ^{[4] [5] [6]} Several months later, they recorded and released their first official major label album, The Red Record. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Gosling (2004–2006)

In 2004, Loudermilk changed their name to Gosling, ^[8] after changing their musical style, retaining all members with Watrous switching from guitar to keyboards. ^[9] Influenced by the likes of Sunny Day Real Estate, ^[9] The Smashing Pumpkins, ^[9] Pink Floyd ^[9] and Queen, ^{[8] [9]} they released the Gosling EP through The Control Group in August 2004. ^[9] Earlier in the year, they supported Velvet Revolver at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California. ^[10] They released their debut full-length Here Is... in 2006 through V2 ^[9] and went on to tour with Rose Hill Drive. ^[9]

A cover of David Bowie's " Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" was included on the soundtrack to the film Underworld: Evolution in 2006. ^[11]

The Shins (2012–present)

In 2012, Watrous joined indie rock band the Shins as guitarist and multi-instrumentalist ^[12]

References