El Guapo was born as a two-piece in Washington DC in 1996. Throughout various instrument/lineup changes in the 1990s, the band released two full-lengths on Resin Records as well as a live CD on its own label, Mud Memory. 

In March 2001, El Guapo recorded its first album for Dischord Records, "Super/System", with Phil Manley of Trans Am at National Recording Studio. "Fake French", El Guapo's second Dischord release, was released in March 2003. 

In early 2004, the band expanded to a four-piece with the addition of former Orthrelm drummer Josh Blair. Later, El Guapo rechristened itself as "Supersystem" and recorded two albums for Touch and Go before disbanding in 2006.