My NTS
Live now
1
06:00 - 07:00

Special guest shows from around the world.

2
06:00 - 07:00

Special guest shows from around the world.

The Shaggs

The Shaggs

The Shaggs has been played on NTS over 20 times, featured on 20 episodes and was first played on 23 July 2016.

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). Today, they're known as a key part of the outsider music movement.

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. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain highlighted their work for praise. 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.

read more

The Shaggs

The Shaggs has been played on NTS over 20 times, featured on 20 episodes and was first played on 23 July 2016.

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). Today, they're known as a key part of the outsider music movement.

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. Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain highlighted their work for praise. 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.

Original source Last.fm

Tracks featured on

Most played tracks

My Cutie
The Shaggs
Rounder Records, Red Rooster Records1982
Yesterday Once More
The Shaggs
Rounder Records, Red Rooster Records1982
A Christmas Song
Dot Wiggin Band feat. The Shaggs
Not On Label2014
It's Halloween
The Shaggs
Third World Recordings1969
Things I Wonder
The Shaggs
Third World Recordings1969
My Pal Foot Foot
The Shaggs
Third World Recordings1969
Philosophy Of The World
The Shaggs
Third World Recordings1969
I Love
The Shaggs
Rounder Records, Red Rooster Records1982
Shaggs' Own Thing
The Shaggs
Rounder Records, Red Rooster Records1982
Shaggs' Own Thing (Vocal Version)
The Shaggs
Rounder Records, Red Rooster Records1988