El Guapo
(1996 - 2006)Peter Cafarella - accordion, keyboard, electronics, computer, vocals
Rafael Cohen - guitar, oboe, keyboard, electronics, vocals
Justin Moyer - drums, bass, electronics, vocals
Dischord Releases
Distributed Releases
Compilations
El Guapo was born as a two-piece in Washington, DC in 1996. Through
various instrument/lineup changes, the duo/trio/quartet continually
blurred the lines between art-punk and the avant-garde. In the late
90s, the band released two full-lengths on Resin Records as well as a
live CD of improvisational works on its own label, Mud Memory, in
2000. In March 2001, El Guapo recorded their album for Dischord
Records, "super/system," with Phil Manley of Trans Am at National
Recording Studio. The 42-minute final edit is a testament to the
band's multi-instrumental versatility and innovative approach to music
making.
"Fake French," El Guapo's second Dischord release, was self-recorded
in numerous sessions over a six-month period and released in March
2003. After crafting an explosive live set in over 100 Stateside and
European shows in 2002 , El Guapo continued to tour the US and Europe
throughout 2003 and 2004. In early 2004, the band expanded to a
four-piece with the addition of former Orthrelm drummer Josh Blair.
After being threatened with a lawsuit by another band with the same
name, El Guapo changed its name to Supersystem and recorded two albums
for Touch and Go before disbanding in 2006.