Formerly known as the Atoms, the Watusis were formed when guitarist Derek met singer Joey Ugalde at Bonita Vista High School in 2003, both of them with a dream to play music. After releasing an EP produced by Sweet Tooth Records, they were seen seen at alternative side venues such as the Casbah’s Atari Room and the stage corner of UCSD’s Ché Café. Based in Chula Vista, they released demos in 2004 and 2005.
In 2009, the band (still known as the Atoms) recorded a 7" on San Diego's Single Screen Records and Germany's P-Trash Records.
The Watusis' first gig under their new name was February 26, 2010, at the Casbah. Later that year, bassist Branden Parish, aka Brand-O, joined Shiva Trash. He quit both that band and the Watusis in late 2011 to form the band Sculpins.
As of 2012, the Watusis main members are Joey Ugalde (also the drummer for Northern Tigers) and keyboardist Kaitlin Mattick. Frank Mindingall is the bass player for Northern Tigers and the Beaters, and Derek Butler plays bass for Heavy Hawaii.”