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]