SHAGGO Just Wants To Have Fun!
Written by Erin Norton
For a while now, I’ve been on the search for a femme punk band reminiscent of those from the 70s through the 90s. I’ve personally been dissatisfied with my findings and the fact that many music journals are trying to make Olivia Rodrigo, of all people, the face of this genre's contemporary turn. They fail to realize that femme punk is not born or created in the limelight, but created in the DIY scene.
If you’re anything like me, finding this band was a turn in the right direction. This is the band for the girlies who have been disappointed with the groups who claim that they are reviving Riot Grrrl music. Femme punk band SHAGGO is actually filling this“ Hole” (get it?)
SHAGGO hails from Brooklyn, NY. In their statement on Spotify they explain that while they write“ silly songs...SHAGGO is no joke.” I can confirm that they are very much the real deal. Even though they may be new to releasing music on streaming platforms, they have already secured themselves a spot in the femme punk scene in Brooklyn and have played many local shows. Their new single“ I Wanted Fun”, is only the second song on streaming platforms. The song came out on March 16th and the music video for it already has over a thousand views on YouTube.
“ I Wanted Fun” opens with an incredible, tone-setting drum and guitar combo that is reminiscent of Le Tigre’s musical composition. The lyrics maintain an anger and edge that is just as contagious as Hole.“ I am not your dopamine” is a favorite line of mine and sustains the subject of the song, being involved in a weird, mixed signal situation. Their whole vibe feels already comparable to the skill and intrigue of their predecessors while simultaneously holding contemporary relatability and attraction. The separation from the main melody and break into the guitar solo feels like a reward—it’s delicious. The song just keeps getting better as it moves into the slow building bridge that repeats the lyrics“ I wanted fun, you made it weird!”
It’s the nuance in both the music video and song itself that sets it apart from other femme punk songs. The opening verse, recorded in a way that mimics a phone speaker, compliments the DIY quality of the music video. Partially recorded on Photo Booth, the video mimics those days of Video Star in the early 2000s. The hand drawn visuals and extra effects add artistry to the music video. What’s not to love?
SHAGGO is a new favorite of mine and a band to definitely watch out for.“ I Wanted Fun” is an anthem for the girls who literally just wanted to have fun. Geez, why is that so hard?!
