The Johnny DeVivo Interview
Swell Taco is an intersection of the Mexican cuisine, surf culture and local creativity. To highlight that local creativity we want to give everyone a more semi-formal introduction to the creators behind the art adorning the Swell Taco walls. Each is part of the Swell community, part of the local surf community and a true individual whose art reflects the essence of what makes this restaurant so totally unique.
words by John Angiulo
“Seriously though, I’m a real one, a Day 1!! I bleed Salsa Verde.”
John Angiulo: Where did you grow up?
Johnny DeVivo: Born & Raised, Do or Die W.I. - West Islip / Babylon. Grew up surfing since around 8/9 thanks to my cousin Eugene (@salt_n_sea) and my Uncle Charlie.
JA: What’s your spirit animal?
JD: I’m not sure how to really answer this anymore — however, I have to say a Honey Badger. I relate to the Honey Badger because let’s face it, I’m sweet as honey… but you just don’t wanna poke that mofo too many times, or God Forbid you f***’d with his wife and lil’ cubs… that S.O.B. will rip your face off… I’ve also heard they got a bit of a dirty mouth… lol.
JA: Do you have a love affair with the ocean? If so, how long has it been going on and does your significant other know about it / are they jealous?
JD: I’ve had a love affair with the ocean as far back as I can remember, but when it really took to another level was when I actually felt that feeling of pumping down the face of a wave. My beautiful wife loves the ocean just as much as I do, and our boys this past summer really got bit by the surfing bug as well. So, if there is anyone jealous nowadays, it is probably more me when I can’t get out of work.
JA: When did you begin creating art?
JD: Since a kid I was always drawing and trying to design my own logos and whatnot. Then in high school I started designing my own t shirts, hoodies etc, which I still love to do today. As for shooting photos though, that did not start till about 2009, when some serious injuries and issues had sidelined my surfing.
JA: Who influenced you?
JD: From day 1 my cousin, Eugene, (@salt_and_sea) has always been my biggest influence (and fan) when it came to anything artistic. My biggest influences and inspirations today are all of my best friends (& family) Josh Goetz, Scott & Chip Jankow, Tom Colla, Tyson Pfaffe, and my biggest fan, my whole heart, my wife Diana.
JA: What do you think your work is trying to capture or say?
JD: First, it’s hard for me to reference what I do as “my work”. If I do anything, it is a lot simpler. Being sidelined from surfing and not being in the water, some of what I missed the most is sharing those moments, waves, stokeness w/ the boys in the lineup. Josh gave me the confidence at the time to start shooting photos, and from that 1st day I felt like I was able to enjoy those sessions w/ the boys again. With that, I always tried to capture those moments I miss not being in the actual lineup with all boys I grew up and used to always trade waves with.
JA: Do you have a piece of work that stands out to you or that you’re most proud of?
JD: I am easily my own worst fan, but, if I had to choose one, there is a photo from Winter 2018 in Long Beach. I wound up submitting this shot into NYSea’s Cold Shot Challenge. This photo contest is geared around winter surf from as far North as Maine, down to North Carolina. This Winter of 2018, I was 1 of approximately 1,500 photos submitted and judged by some of the biggest artist, photographers and athletes in the industry like Taylor Steele, Chris Burkhart, & many others. I wound up making it to the finals and taking 4th place overall. I was honored that guys like Taylor Steele and Chris Burkhart were even looking at my photo, let alone thought it was good enough to be 4th out of 1,500+ photos. I’m probably the only person you know that would be amped & proud of a 4th place - lol - but like my boy Rick Kane once said , “I never thought I would of made it this far anyway.”
JA: All of the artists have been part of the swell crew for a long time. When did you first start coming to Swell?
JD: Brooke & Steve have already talked about retiring my jersey #17, because some may not realize but I am the Official (Unofficial) Unsung Hero of Swell Taco, lol. Seriously though, I’m a real one, a Day 1!! I bleed Salsa Verde.
JA: What do you think makes Swell Taco a special place that we all keep coming back to?
JD: It’s the employees who are all so incredible and make everyone feel good when they walk in the door. I mean I’m pretty f***ing cool but when I walk into Swell, I feel a little bit more like the man because of everyone’s happy and great attitude and always going out of their way to make everyone feel the love. On top of that it is also what Brooke & Steve do. The charities they run and the money they raise for causes and good deeds are a constant at Swell. They are always giving back to the community and friends of Swell. My own mother battled pancreatic cancer for almost 3 years before we lost her to the disease this past December. During this time, my mother was not retired and had to leave work, yet the expenses were triple. Things were going down fast. Forever, I will be in debt for what Brooke & Steve did for my moms and put together an unbelievable fundraiser. With the help of other great friends of the Swell family, like Josh Goetz, Tom Colla, Eugene Rogovitz, Petro, etc etc etc...you all mean the world to me - I still cannot express what that did for my moms. This is what Swell Taco does! They are so much more than just a taco joint!! It just so happens they have the greatest tacos and best margaritas this side of the Mississippi as well!!
JA: What’s your favorite thing to eat at Swell?
JD: The Coco Mahi / Shrimp Taco’s (sometimes you gotta sub out the mahi for shrimp). Also a big fan of a simple bowl made up of just rice, black beans, and “double - double” grilled shrimp, on top. Gotta get the double double shrimp, cause when you love shrimp like me, you need double protein!! Trust me- try the Johnny Bowl - it’s glorious!!
JA: What super power do you believe you have? What super power do you want to have?
JD: I mean I got a ton of super powers obviously, but if I can only talk about my best one, then It would be a toss-up between singing and being able to read people. I am pretty much the songbird of my generation but I got to say I am also a really good judge of character! I can easily read through peoples bullshit better than you could imagine. Generally, for the most part, I can size a person up in a matter of seconds of meeting them. If I could pick any superpower in the world, I would have to say I would choose to be able to teleport. Think about it, wake up one morning here on a dreary Long Island, it’s been flat for 2 months straight…PAO PAO BANGO-Good Morning Pavones.... just like that!! Teleport back to Swell Taco for some lunch and PAO!!! Teleport back - I snag a wave, teleport back out, snag a wave, teleport back out, snag a wave... get barreled - stay in the tub for a while- hang 10 in the tub that was fun. Hahahah
JA: Can Art and Tacos, together, save the world. If so, how?
JD: Yea I like to think so. Well, I can say you have at least 2 of the 3 things that could save the world. If we threw in some johnny budd / aka medicinal cannabis, with art and tacos then yea, 100000%, we would not only save the world but also create world peace!! If we could get everyone to sit in a big circle to take their medicine & smoke a fat Marley, then eat some tacos and talk about art and photography. Shit....!!! What’s more poetic then that.
“Art, & Tacos and a lil bit of that Johnny Budd... It would be the Taco Revolution. ”
JA: What would you tell your 20 year old self if you could communicate back one thing through time?
JD: I’d tell myself to f***ing chill – take care of yourself, you’re not invincible, as much as you believe you are! You keep this sh*t up you’re going to screw us over in 20 years from now. Trust me I know! Ha– too much?
Creative Question: If you had to get paid to be stuck on an island shooting one pro surfer for a year, who would it be?
At first I thought this would be tough to pick only one pro when there are so may I have looked up to over the years, however after actually thinking about it for 10 seconds there’s only one guy I would choose today. What’s funny is if you asked me this question 10-15 years ago, my answer would of been totally different. If I had that choice right now I would hands down pick Shane Dorian. I’ve always been such a huge fan of Shane growing up well, but 10-15 years ago I probably would not of chose him because we were both slightly different. Today I see Shane as not only this guy pushing the limits of big wave surfing and still ripping tour style waves all over the world as well, but beyond surfing I feel like there are so many other things I could learn from him.
