# 'Like trying to play hieroglyphics' — how did The Shaggs achieve cult status with so little talent?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-radio-national-hour-7176627/like-trying-to-play-hieroglyphics-how-did-the-shaggs-achieve-cult-status-with-so-little-talent
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-radio-national-hour-7176627/like-trying-to-play-hieroglyphics-how-did-the-shaggs-achieve-cult-status-with-so-little-talent.md
Podcast: [The Radio National Hour](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-radio-national-hour-7176627)
Published: 2026-06-26T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-radio-national-hour/the-radio-national-hour/106769040
Audio file: https://mediacore-live-production.akamaized.net/audio/02/lu/Z/0c.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3299

## Resource

There was a lot of hustle and plenty of chances and in the end Australia got the job done in San Francisco with a scoreless draw against Paraguay delivering them a berth in the knockout round of 32. Freelance football writer and ESPN Australia contributor Joey Lynch says whilst many people were hoping for an outright win, the team is playing with more confidence every time they step onto the pitch. Somewhere in rural Paraguay Australian flags were flying over a small township during today's clash. Its Paraguayan residents go by the names of Smith, Kennedy, Adams and Murray; descendants of a failed 19th century utopian experiment dreamt up by a radical unionist from Brisbane. Writer and journalist Ben Stubbs visited Nueva Australia more than a decade ago and was surprised to meet some very Australian characters. Did you ever rock out to The Shaggs back in the day? The trio of sisters in the sixties were challenging on the ears, but decades on this curious anti-musical outfit has achieved a cult status. And now a documentary in their name by filmmaker Ken Kwapis.

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