The Shaggs
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Fremont, New Hampshire, United States (1968 – 1975)
The Shaggs were an American all-female rock group formed in Fremont, New Hampshire, United States in 1968. The band was composed of sisters Dorothy “Dot” Wiggin (vocals/lead guitar), Betty Wiggin (vocals/rhythm guitar), Helen Wiggin (drums), and later Rachel Wiggin (bass).
The band was formed by Dot, Betty, and Helen on the insistence of their father, Austin Wiggin, who believed that his mother foresaw their rise to stardom. The only studio album, Philosophy of the World, was released in 1969 and failed to garner attention, though the band continued to exist as a locally popular live act. The group disbanded in 1975 after the death of Austin.
The Shaggs have a consistent (but highly idiosyncratic) approach to melody, harmony, and rhythm. The songs use irregular verse structures, which are emphasized by the melodic structures. These typically accord one note per syllable: the guitar accompaniment attempts to reproduce this pattern as well. Most of the Shaggs material is made up of eighth- and quarter-notes.
Posthumously, the band gained notoriety and praise for their unconventional style, and lyrical honesty. Frank Zappa named Philosophy of the World one of his favorite records. He even said they were “better than The Beatles.” Philosophy of the World was later reissued on Rounder, the label of the rock group NRBQ, and the compilation Shaggs’ Own Thing was released in 1982.
The band was formed by Dot, Betty, and Helen on the insistence of their father, Austin Wiggin, who believed that his mother foresaw their rise to stardom. The only studio album, Philosophy of the World, was released in 1969 and failed to garner attention, though the band continued to exist as a locally popular live act. The group disbanded in 1975 after the death of Austin.
The Shaggs have a consistent (but highly idiosyncratic) approach to melody, harmony, and rhythm. The songs use irregular verse structures, which are emphasized by the melodic structures. These typically accord one note per syllable: the guitar accompaniment attempts to reproduce this pattern as well. Most of the Shaggs material is made up of eighth- and quarter-notes.
Posthumously, the band gained notoriety and praise for their unconventional style, and lyrical honesty. Frank Zappa named Philosophy of the World one of his favorite records. He even said they were “better than The Beatles.” Philosophy of the World was later reissued on Rounder, the label of the rock group NRBQ, and the compilation Shaggs’ Own Thing was released in 1982.
Shouts:
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Top Albums
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Philosophy of the World
The Shaggs
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The Shaggs
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Shaggs' Own Thing
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Wink
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Shoutbox
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haalogen wrote:
Between The Shaggs and Linkin Park, I still prefer The Shaggs. [3]
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sunheadbowed wrote:
Between The Shaggs and Linkin Park, I still prefer The Shaggs. [2]
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mindless_jerk wrote:
This is awesome.
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Kebab_Holokaust wrote:
This is so hard to cover !
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tahbyfet wrote:
Deep lyrics
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gregoryoftours wrote:
<3
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jessicarc14 wrote:
Between The Shaggs and Linkin Park, I still prefer The Shaggs.
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AngelOf_Mercy_ wrote:
At first I was like, then I was like, but then I was like.
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Tripppp wrote:
This is like... proto-twee. Fucking love this.
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gregoryoftours wrote:
my pal foot foot what a good song!!
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ChriSThaaRippeR wrote:
Толстушечки
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ElChepito wrote:
does anyone know if they can play all of philosophy of the world verbatim live? If so, then frank zappa is right. It's brilliant composition.
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hookbags wrote:
They make me smile every time I listen to them :)
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VelvetMesgue wrote:
better than the Beatles (2)...lol
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crazydude1992 wrote:
If you like The Shaggs or Les Blousons Noirs, check out Abgas, the Swiss punk band from 1981, often called the worst (best?) punk band of all time: http://www.goodbadmusic.com/2007/11/27/abgas-st-double-7-selfproduced-switzerland-1981-2/
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naotas_forehead wrote:
Ahahahaha This is freaking AWESOME
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metawirt wrote:
Don't know why "better than the beatles" ist't No.1 tag.
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warmcereal wrote:
Not gonna lie, Philosophy of the World is pretty catchy.
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Confuse_A_Cat wrote:
Did They dropped any good loot?
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cjkisaragi wrote:
lol
Videos
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Philosophy of the world - The…
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i love , the shaggs
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Recent Activity
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leticiatiemg, SickDeathCity, NewsRadiohead and 6 other people added The Shaggs to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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ThisGoes2Eleven tagged The Shaggs with outsider and 1970s. 11 days ago
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my-sick-soul, luanangelica, johnnykevlar and 6 other people added The Shaggs to their libraries. 11 days ago
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ThisGoes2Eleven tagged The Shaggs with post-punk, outsider, lo-fi and 2 other tags. last month
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Arey24656 tagged The Shaggs with lo-fi and outsider. last month
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beyondwithin wrote about The Shaggs in The Prefab Messiahs - garage/post-punk/psych oddity w/ new 12" of 1982-83 recordings!. last month
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ThisGoes2Eleven tagged The Shaggs with outsider and lo-fi. last month
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VILHL added The Shaggs to VILHL’s library. last month
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Malet999 tagged The Shaggs with girl monsters, lo-fi madness, female vocalists and one other tag. last month
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ThisGoes2Eleven tagged The Shaggs with lo-fi and outsider. last month
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