The Shaggs – Philosophy Of The World (1969)

Outsider music is supposedly created by people who are not self aware. I feel this is not true of The Shaggs. They have acknowledged that they don't think their music was good. Their dad, however, is another matter. If you don't know the back story of The Shaggs I'd suggest reading up on it. If, however, you can't be arsed, here is a brief run through: Granny has dream that she has granddaughters who are big rock stars, dad eventually has daughters, removes them from school, forces them to take guitar lessons, they show no musical competency, he makes them record an album, 1000 records pressed, 900 stolen by producer, everyone forgets it ever happened, Frank Zappa says The Shaggs are better than the Beatles, The Shaggs become cult heroines.

This album completely changed my view on music. I really love the enforced creativity of people who are seemingly 'not the creative types' – fuck the creative types, everyone has an album in them in my opinion (70 if you are Jandek). I love the naïvety of the lyrics and how uncool the themes are in many places (Hallowe'en, Pets, Parents being great). It is also a little disturbing. Although probably a nice (if weird) family, listening to this strange sounding attempt at pop gives the impression that their father is a weird Ed Gein-cum-pushy X-Factor parent. And after further reading on the father, he does sound like the kind of person you read about in “women's magazines.”

The title track is a wonderful song. It is like a childlike view of the world, and it is pretty spot on I'd say (the skinny people do want what the fat peoples got, and vice versa). The problem is, these are teens/twenties girls, not 10 year olds. Like I said, the naivety appeals to me (not sex-wise).

What might not be acknowledged after one listen, however, is how sad a lot of the songs are. Although not 'naturally creative' Dot Wiggins did take advantage on occasions to pour her heart out in the way that only she can.

I first came across The Shaggs at university. I stumbled across a website called Show and Tell Music. It was very late at night, and it had that creepy quality that Jandek has. The night I first heard The Shaggs, I also heard Diary Of An Unborn Child by Lil Markie which was far creepier. Obviously, this gave me the prime opportunity to isolate myself from everyone by playing it on my radio show that week. The listener-ship was low before then already. My mum probably even switched off.

One last thing on The Shaggs – some people wondered whether or not this was legit or if it was an avant-garde jazz trio making difficult to play avant-garde music. Somehow people think that had that been the case they'd accept and appreciate The Shaggs, but if it were just some girls with limited musical ability then it is shit. Surely the means by which you make the sound is irrelevant and as long as you get enjoyment out of it then it is good, in your opinion.