The World/Inferno Friendship Society
| Company type | Collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Jack Terricloth (lead vocalist and sole permanent member) |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The World/Inferno Friendship Society—also referred to as World Inferno or simply Inferno—originated as a Brooklyn-based American ensemble from New York. Their musical approach merged elements of punk rock, soul, klezmer, and jazz, comprising a collective of roughly 40 musicians, with typically seven to ten members performing concurrently. Fronted by vocalist Jack Terricloth, the sole permanent member, Terricloth was noted for his incisive political insights and his commentary on his "old school" evolution.
Their songwriting frequently delved into historical and personal narratives, invoking personalities such as those from the Weimar-era Germany, Peter Lorre, Jeffrey Lee Pierce of the Gun Club, Paul Robeson, Leni Riefenstahl, Dante Alighieri, Philip K. Dick, and Jonathan Fire*Eater.
Jack Terricloth died in May 2021.
Hallowmas
The group's signature annual event, Hallowmas, coinciding with Halloween, was distinguished by its elaborate staging and unexpected features. Previous Hallowmas performances included a burning effigy of Mr. Terricloth ignited by a giant cat figure; an ambient string quartet playing throughout the venue; circus acts such as fire breathing by the Odd Child Uprising troupe; culminating with a macabre marching band finale performing "Pumpkin Time," a track exclusive to these occasions that incorporates street demonstrations and nods to The Great Pumpkin from the Peanuts comic strip.
Members
| Name | Instrument(s) | Years | Other groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Terricloth | Lead vocals, various instruments | 1996–2021 | Sticks and Stones, P.E.D. |
| Scott Hollingsworth | Keyboards, bass, programming, producer, engineer | 1996–1999, 2012–2020 | Sticks and Stones |
| Aaron Hammes | Baritone saxophone, guitar, vocals | 2012–2021 | The Del Moroccos, Deal's Gone Bad, The Stranger, Res Novae |
| Rafael Calderon | Trumpet | 2014–2021 | The Bandulos, Rising Sun Gang, DYT, Cause and the Effects |
| Jeffrey Young | Violin | 2014–2020 | thingNY, Valerie Kuehne and the Wasps Nests |
| Gina Marie Rodriguez | Electric bass, backing vocals | April–May 2005, 2018–2021 | Moisturizer, Madam Robot and the Lust Brigade |
| Brendan Furey | Electric guitar | 2018–2021 | Senator Horse, Future Ghosts, Off Target, Teorema |
| Felipe Torres | Drums | 2018–2021 | Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Zire's War, Reagan Youth, The Monkees, The Davy Jones Band, Res Novae |
| Matt Dallow | Accordion, keyboards, theremin | 2018–2021 | Amour Obscur, Vic Thrill, Dead Man's Terminal, The Pendulum Swings, The Trummytones, Space Robot Scientists |
| Name | Instrument(s) | Years Active | Other groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie Goodman | Violin | 2020–2021 | Speakeasy Streets, Teorema | |
| Jonny Zuckerman (Jonny Zeee) | Guitar | 2019–2020 | Powdermaker, Kung Fury, The Shivering Brigade, Res Novae | |
| Matthew Landis | Keyboards | 2008–2015, 2017–2019 | Minor Arcana, Poison Street, Teorema | |
| Benjamin Reichman | Trumpet, guitar | 2017–2019 | Glowing-Eyed Friends, Future Ghosts | |
| Francis Morin | Guitar | 2010–2018 | Voltaire, Serpenteens, Res Novae, Black Rose Burning | |
| Sandra Malak | Bass, vocals | 2006–2019 | Leftöver Crack, The Working Mothers, SHLSHKD, Twitcher, Elegant Everyone | |
| Mora Precarious/Jess Townsend | Drums | 2010–2018 | Parlour Bells, Ketman, Trabants | |
| Peter Hess | Tenor saxophone, clarinet, percussion | 1998–2011, 2013–2014, 2019 | Guignol, Slavic Soul Party, Anti-Social Music, Balkan Beat Box, Capital M, The Peter Hess Quartet, Asphalt Orchestra | |
| Rebecca Schlappich | Violin | 2011–2015, 2019 | Kiss Kiss, Mariachi El Bronx, River City Extension, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals | |
| Leslie Wacker | Alto saxophone | 2010–2012 | Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band | |
| Ken Thomson | Baritone saxophone, clarinet | 2005–2010 | Gutbucket, Asphalt Orchestra, Anti-Social Music, Signal | |
| Raja Azar | Piano, backing vocals | 2006–2010 | Jollyship the Whiz-Bang | |
| Benjamin Kotch | Drums | 1997–2007, 2010, 2019 | Eve's Plum | |
| Lucky Strano | Guitar | 1996–2010, 2019 | Morning Glory, Sewage, Devastation Wagon, Banner of Hope | |
| Maura Corrigan | Alto saxophone | 1998–2010, 2019 | Georgia Redcoat Marching Band, Mod Alpert | |
| Brian Viglione | Drums | 2008–2009, 2018, 2019 | The Dresden Dolls, Nine Inch Nails,HUMANWINE , Voltaire , Violent Femmes , Morning Glory | |
| Kevin Raczka | Drums | 2007–2008 | Jollyship The Whiz-Bang , Hungry March Band | |
| Ara Babajian | Drums | 2007 | Leftöver Crack , The Slackers , Star Fucking Hipsters | |
| Semra Ercin | Percussion , bells , backing vocals | 1996–2008 , 2019 | The Working Mothers , Chandeliers , kiss Slash Crooked Smile , Casa de Chihuahua , Kid Casanova | |
| Franz Nicolay | Accordion , piano , backing vocals | 2001–2008 , 2010-11 , 2019 | Guignol , The Hold Steady , Anti-Social Music , Against Me! , Voltaire | |
| Yula Beeri | Electric bass , backing vocals | 1999-2006 , 2019 | Nanuchka , Star Fucking Hipsters , Yula & the eXtended Family | |
| Karen Kanan Correa | Bass , backing vocals , viola | 2005-06 | Demander | |
| Erik Proft | Shouts | 2007 | Planned Collapse , Kama Rupa , Missing Foundation | |
| Steve Paelet | Electric bass | 2002 | ||
| Dan Bailey | Baritone saxophone | 1998-2005 , 2019 | Milk Money , The Grown-Ups , The Panic , The Maspeth Holders | |
| Kevin Corzett | Tenor saxophone | 2007-09 | Reverend Glasseye , Ketman , Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys , Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band | |
| John Moore | Baritone saxophone | 1997-98 | ||
| Brian Pearl | Piano | 2000-01 | Matt Pond PA | |
| Ms. Xtal Chaos | Tuba | 1996-98 | ||
| Detroit Rios | Percussion | 1997-98 | ||
| Stephe Polier | Tenor saxophone | 1997-99 | ||
| Geoff Blythe | Tenor saxophone | 1999 | Dexys Midnight Runners , The Bureau , Black 47 , The TKO Horns | |
| Sam Burns | Tenor saxophone | 1999-00 | ||
| Rio Glenn (ABC No Rio) | Backing vocals | 1999-00 | ||
| Kika Von Kluck | Backing vocals | 1997-98 | ||
| Sioux Kovax | Backing vocals | 1996-97 (graphics:1994-03) | ||
| Mike Wagner | Trombone | 1999 | Antibalas , King Changó , Moshiach Oi! | |
| Klaus Schank | Trombone | 1998 | Scrapy | |
| Lauren Black | Trumpet | 1997-99 | Kenn Firpo Rent Explosion ,1‚000 Pounds of People | |
| David Patrikios | Marimba‚ banjo | 1997-99 | Serpico‚ Milhouse‚ Greensleep‚The Realistics‚The Flying Aces | |
| Chris Leo | Trombone | 1997 | The Van Pelt‚The Sin Eaters‚The Lapse‚Native Nod | |
| Dan Neustadt | Piano‚ backing vocals | The Hold Steady | ||
| Jeffrey Wengrofsky (Actor‚ Cabaret Host‚ Bag of Nothing) | '96-'21' | Syndicate of Human Image Traffickers | ||
| Jon Gilch | Drums | Sticks and Stones |
Discography
Studio albums
- The True Story of the Bridgewater Astral League – released in 1997
- Just the Best Party – released in 2002
- Red-Eyed Soul – released in 2006
- Addicted to Bad Ideas: Peter Lorre's Twentieth Century – released in 2007
- The Anarchy and the Ecstasy – released in 2011
- This Packed Funeral – released in 2014
- All Borders Are Porous to Cats – released in 2020
Live recordings and compilations
- East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today! (compilation) – issued in 2000
- Hallowmas: Live at Northsix – issued in 2003
- Valhalla, Definitely (compilation) – issued in 2023
EP releases
- International Smashism! – issued in 2001
- Speak of Brave Men – issued in 2004
- Me v. Angry Mob – issued in 2005
- Vox Inferne – issued in 2010
- Maps, Saints & Just This Side of Way Too Much (live recording including two tracks from The Anarchy and the Ecstasy) – issued in 2012
- Turnstile Comix #2 (three-song EP paired with a comic book) – issued in 2013
Singles
- "Tattoos Fade" backed with "Nothing You Begin" (1994), Blue Ghost Records (later reissued on East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!)
- "The Models and the Mannequins" backed with "Glamour Ghouls" (1996), Gern Blandsten Records (reissued on East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!)
- "Our Candidate" backed with "All of California and Everyone Who Lives There Stinks" (1996), Gern Blandsten (reissued on East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!)
- "Pumpkin Time" backed with "Ich Errinere Mich an Weimar" (1999), Gern Blandsten (reissued on East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!)
- "I Wouldn't Want to Live in a World Without Grudges" backed with "All the World Is a Stage (Dive)" (2000), X-Mist Records (both tracks rerecorded for Just the Best Party)
- "Hallowmas 2010" (2010), Chunksaah Records featuring "Canonize Philip K. Dick, OK"
- "This Packed Funeral" (2013)
- "Freedom Is a Wilderness Made for You and Me" (2019)
- "All I Can Do to Help You with Your Nightmares Is Keep You Up Late" (2019)
Unreleased demo recordings
- A Demonstrational Introduction to the Astral Plane – recorded between 1996 and 1997
- Powder Waves Goodbye Sessions – recorded in 2000
- A Lexicon of Friends & Enemies – recorded in 2004
- The New Americana Demos – recorded in 2008
- 3 Ring Brain and a Circus Heart – recorded in 2010
Additional appearances
- Featured on CMJ New Music April 1997, compilation including "Our Candidate"
- Included on Achtung Autobahn (2000), benefit compilation featuring "Peter Lorre"
- Appeared on Against Police Injustice (2003), compilation featuring "Secret Service Freedom Fighting USA"
- Contributed to Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 (2004), compilation featuring "The Expatriate Act"
- Featured on Fuck World Trade (2004) by Leftöver Crack, including "Soon We'll Be Dead"
- Included on Go-Kart vs. The Corporate Giant 4 (2006), compilation featuring live version of "Tattoos Fade"
- Took part in Hugs for Chelsea (2017), compilation featuring "Freedom Is a Wilderness"
External links
Categories:
- 1996 establishments in New York City
- Punk rock groups from New York (state)
- Dark cabaret musicians
- Indie rock musical groups from New York (state)
- Musical groups from Brooklyn
- Musical groups established in 1996
- Musical groups disestablished in 2021
- Gern Blandsten Records artists
- Alternative Tentacles artists