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.
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  • Philosophy of the World
    The Shaggs Play
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  • The Shaggs
    The Shaggs Play
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  • Shaggs' Own Thing
    The Shaggs Play
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  • Wink
    The Shaggs
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  • ElChepito

    I think everything they made is great! I discovered this on my own with just finding it through half japanese similar artist a while back. OOOO aren't I the cool one.

    last month

  • sunheadbowed

    I'd rather not look at RYM, because it's a website mostly used by teenagers who listen to an album once then give a knee-jerk rating. Of course plenty of people will listen to the album and hear somethng they don't recognise as "good music" and leave a comment on a website -- that is what I said with my shout. People do the exact same thing with Trout Mask Replica. Perhaps one day you will leave a comment there telling us it's not as bad as "everyone" says it is. The reason these people discovered the album in the first place is because it is incredibly popular and well respected within underground/outsider music circles. It's one of the favourite albums of Jad Fair, and was one of the favourites of Zappa and Kurt Cobain. You are absolutely accurate in your assessment that the album sounds innocent and beautiful (and naive/childlike) -- hardly a revelation because that is what people have been saying for decades. However, you were wrong in your belief that everyone says it is bad.

    last month

  • helloimjoshua

    Really? I'm fairly certain that several people think Philosophy of the World is unlistenable and aren't just saying that as a joke on various sites. And yes, the record is popular but popularity doesn't necessarily equate to how much people enjoy something; look at RYM and how little of a consensus there is on the record. And plus, I think it's quite obvious that a part of the reason the record is so popular is because of how disparate it is anyways.

    last month

  • sunheadbowed

    No one makes it out to be unlistenable except for people listening for the first time on a last.fm website and trying to be funny. Perhaps you missed that the record is incredibly popular.

    last month

  • NickScott

    is outsider music synonymous with not good

    last month

  • birdturd93

    It's the most honest music ever recorded....listen to Philosophy of the world and you'll know what i mean!

    last month

  • helloimjoshua

    Not nearly as unlistenable as everyone makes it out to be. I'd even say there's a subtle beauty to how innocent it all sounds.

    last month

  • JWP321

    When I listen to the Shaggs I like to imagine everything they do is intentional and that they're just an extremely experimental girl group.

    March 2012
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