The Shaggs are a band that defy description - formed by three New Hampshire sisters in the mid-1960s at the insistence of their controlling father to fulfil a psychic prophesy. Championed by Kurt Cobain, Patti Smith and Frank Zappa, now the Wiggins sisters tell their unlikely story in their own words.

2026
We Are The Shaggs
We Are The Shaggs
Director
Runtime
98 Minutes
Country
United States
Classification
Unclassified 15+
The Shaggs are a band that defy description - formed by three New Hampshire sisters in the mid-1960s at the insistence of their controlling father to fulfil a psychic prophesy, despite the sisters’ lack of musical training or interest. Once heard, The Shaggs will never be forgotten, their music resembling a transmission from another planet. Misunderstood by most who heard them, beloved by some prominent champions (including Kurt Cobain, Patti Smith and Frank Zappa), now the Wiggins sisters tell their unlikely story in their own words, from the early days of the group through to their dissolution in the 1970s and their eventual cult rediscovery. Featuring music from the Ramones, Bikini Kill and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks.
“This charming doc sees them for who they really and were, pushing past the ‘outsider art’ label to arrive at something much more dignified, personal and, ultimately, moving.”
Deadline
“The two surviving sisters don’t seem like the types to want to be considered feminist heroines, but Kwapis’ lovely film is able to capture them as some of the most improbable icons in rock history …”
Variety
SXSW
Melbourne
Film Credits
Director
Ken Kwapis
Country
United States
Language
English
Type
Feature Documentary
Program Strand
Music on Film
Producer
Reynolds Anderson & Jeremy Seifert
Writer
Ken Kwapis
Cinematographer
Jeremy Seifert
Editor
Emily O’Brien
Genre
Documentary, Music & Women
