The World/Inferno Friendship Society

{{short description|American band}} {{Redirect|WIFS|the television station in Janesville, Wisconsin|WIFS (TV)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = The World/Inferno Friendship Society | background = group_or_band | image = Jack Terricloth.jpg | caption = The lead singer of the band, Jack Terricloth | alias = World Inferno, Inferno | origin = Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist| * Punk rock * dark cabaret * swing punk }} | years_active = 1994–2021 | label = {{flatlist| * Alternative Tentacles * Chunksaah * Go-kart Europe * Gern Blandsten * The Company With The Golden Arm }} | associated_acts = | website = http://www.worldinferno.com/ | current_members = Brendan Furey Felipe Torres Scott Hollingsworth Aaron Hammes Rafael Calderon Jeffrey Young Gina Marie Rodriguez Matt Dallow | past_members = Jack Terricloth }}

'''The World/Inferno Friendship Society''' (also referred to as '''World Inferno''', or '''Inferno''') was an American band from Brooklyn, New York. Its style merged punk, soul, klezmer and jazz, while its collective membership featured horns, piano and guitar and had a membership of about 40 players, of whom only about seven to ten active members usually performed at a time. The group was led by singer Jack Terricloth, who was the only constant during the group's history. Terricloth was known for his pointed commentary during shows; his monologues touched on politics and his transformation from the "old school."

Its lyrics often concerned historical or biographical subjects, such as 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.

Terricloth died in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World/Inferno Friendship Society's Jack Terricloth Dead At 50 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2147801/the-world-inferno-friendship-societys-jack-terricloth-dead-at-50/news |website=Stereogum |access-date=15 May 2021 |language=en |date=14 May 2021}}</ref>

==Hallowmas== The World/Inferno Friendship Society's annual Halloween show, Hallowmas, was its most-anticipated performance of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Jonny |date=2012-12-03 |title=The World/Inferno Friendship Society’s Hallowmas @ Warsaw |url=https://www.theaquarian.com/2012/12/03/the-worldinferno-friendship-societys-hallowmas-warsaw/ |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=The Aquarian |language=en-US}}</ref> The event was known for its elaborate planning and surprises. Past Hallowmases have included a burning effigy of Mr. Terricloth constructed and set alight by a large, caustic cat; an ethereal string quartet performing throughout the evening in the rear of the hall; circus performances and fire breathing by the Odd Child Uprising troupe and a cadaverous marching band materializing on stage for the finale, "Pumpkin Time". The song (performed only at Hallowmas shows) includes street rallies, and references The Great Pumpkin from the ''Peanuts'' comic strip.

==Members== {{anchor|Currently active members|Alumni}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Name !! Instrument(s) !! Years !! Other groups |- | Jack Terricloth || Lead vocals, misc. instruments || 1996–2021 || Sticks and Stones,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/peter-ventantonio |title=Peter Ventantonio |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> P.E.D.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8WcJkySfVY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Y8WcJkySfVY| archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=P.E.D. Reunion 30 May 91 |publisher=YouTube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- |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 |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Other Personnel |- ! 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<ref>{{Cite Instagram|postid=CkDyrFjuPTo|user=worldinfernofs|title=Elegant Everyone, the new project from Sandra Malak will be joining Teorema on 10/31 at St. Anne's.|date=October 23, 2022}}</ref> |- | 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/peter-hess |title=Peter Hess |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/ken-thomson |title=Ken Thomson |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> |- | Raja Azar || Piano, backing vocals || 2006–2010 || Jollyship the Whiz-Bang |- | Benjamin Kotch || Drums || 1997–2007, 2010, 2019 || Eve's Plum<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/benjamin-kotch |title=Benjamin Kotch |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> |- | 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/semra-ercin |title=Semra Ercin |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> |- | Franz Nicolay || Accordion, piano, backing vocals || 2001–2008, 2010–2011, 2019|| Guignol, The Hold Steady, Anti-Social Music, Against Me!,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/franz-nicolay |title=Franz Nicolay |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> Voltaire |- | Yula Beeri || Electric bass, backing vocals || 1999–2006, 2019|| Nanuchka, Star Fucking Hipsters, Yula & the eXtended Family<ref>[http://yxfmmusic.tumblr.com/about Yula & The Extended Family] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121225152003/http://yxfmmusic.tumblr.com/about |date=2012-12-25 }} Accessed 2011-11-13.</ref> |- | Karen Kanan Correa || Bass, backing vocals, viola || 2005–2006 || Demander<ref>[http://www.demandernyc.com/futurebrite Demander] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004220752/http://www.demandernyc.com/futurebrite/ |date=2011-10-04 }} Retrieved 2011-11-13.</ref> |- | 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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/dan-bailey |title=Dan Bailey |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> |- | Kevin Corzett || Tenor saxophone || 2007–2009 || Reverend Glasseye, Ketman, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band |- | John Moore || Baritone saxophone || 1997–1998 |- | Brian Pearl || Piano || 2000–2001 || Matt Pond PA |- | Ms. Xtal Chaos || Tuba || 1996–1998 |- | Detroit Rios || Percussion || 1997–1998 |- | Stephe Polier || Tenor saxophone || 1997–1999 |- | Geoff Blythe || Tenor saxophone || 1999 || Dexys Midnight Runners, The Bureau, Black 47, The TKO Horns<ref name="wordpress1">{{cite web|url=http://wackyhijinx.wordpress.com/a-searching-for-the-young-red-eyed-soul-rebels/ |title=Ch. 12c: searching for the young red eyed soul rebels « Wackyhijinx's Blog |publisher=Wackyhijinx.wordpress.com |date=2010-07-19 |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandtoband.com/artist/geoffrey-blythe |title=Geoffrey Blythe |publisher=BandToBand.com |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref> |- | Sam Burns || Tenor saxophone || 1999–2000 |- | Rio Glenn (ABC No Rio) || Backing vocals || 1999–2000 |- | Kika Von Kluck || Backing vocals || 1997–1998 |- | Sioux Kovax || Backing vocals || 1996–1997 (graphics, 1994–2003) |- | Mike Wagner || Trombone || 1999 || Antibalas, King Changó, Moshiach Oi! |- | Klaus Schank || Trombone || 1998 || Scrapy |- | Lauren Black || Trumpet || 1997–1999 || Kenn Firpo Rent Explosion, 1,000 Pounds of People<ref>[http://livecheapordie.blogspot.com Ken Firpo Rent Explosion] Retrieved 2011-11-13.</ref> |- | David Patrikios || Marimba, banjo || 1997–1999 || 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<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Wolfboy of Rego Park {{!}} Jeffrey Wengrofsky |url=https://www.farwestpress.com/far-west-books/p/wolfboy-rego-park |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Far West Press |language=en-US}}</ref>|| Cabaret Host, Funeral Director, Actor, Bag of Nothing || 1996–2021 || Syndicate of Human Image Traffickers |- | Jon Gilch || Drums || || Sticks and Stones<ref>[http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/jon-gilch/3511597 Jon Gilch] Retrieved 2011-11-13.</ref> |}

==Discography== ===Albums=== *''The True Story of the Bridgewater Astral League'' – 1997 *''Just the Best Party'' – 2002 *''Red-Eyed Soul'' – 2006 *''Addicted to Bad Ideas: Peter Lorre's Twentieth Century'' – 2007 *''The Anarchy and the Ecstasy'' – 2011 *''This Packed Funeral'' – 2014 *''All Borders Are Porous to Cats'' – 2020

===Live/compilation albums=== *''East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!'' (compilation) – 2000 *''Hallowmas: Live at Northsix'' – 2003 *''Valhalla, Definitely'' (compilation) – 2023

===EPs=== *''International Smashism!'' – 2001 *''Speak of Brave Men'' – 2004 *''Me v. Angry Mob'' – 2005 *''Vox Inferne'' – 2010 *''Maps, Saints & Just This Side of Way Too Much'' (live, 2 songs from ''The Anarchy and the Ectasy'') – 2012 *''Turnstile Comix #2'' (three-song EP released with a comic book) – 2013

===Singles=== *"Tattoos Fade" b/w "Nothing You Begin" (1994), Blue Ghost Records ("Tattoos Fade" was re-released on the ''East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!'' compilation) *"The Models and the Mannequins" b/w "Glamour Ghouls" (1996), Gern Blandsten Records (both re-released on the ''East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!'' compilation) *"Our Candidate" b/w "All of California and Everyone Who Lives There Stinks" (1996), Gern Blandsten (both re-released on the ''East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!'' compilation) *"Pumpkin Time" b/w "Ich Errinere Mich an Weimar" (1999), Gern Blandsten (both re-released on the ''East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!'' compilation) *"I Wouldn't Want to Live in a World Without Grudges" b/w "All the World Is a Stage (Dive)" (2000), X-Mist Records (both re-recorded for ''Just the Best Party'') *"Hallowmas 2010" (2010), Chunksaah Records (7" disc distributed at Hallowmas 2010, 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 demos=== *''A Demonstrational Introduction to the Astral Plane'' – 1996–1997 *''Powder Waves Goodbye Sessions'' – 2000 *''A Lexicon of Friends & Enemies'' – 2004 *''The New Americana Demos'' – 2008 *''3 Ring Brain and a Circus Heart'' – 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/discography/album.php?aid=314027766053 |title=Albumgegevens |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2011-11-04}}</ref>

===Other appearances=== *''CMJ New Music April 1997'' - compilation with ''CMJ'' magazine, featuring "Our Candidate" *''Achtung Autobahn'' (2000) - benefit compilation featuring "Peter Lorre" *''Against Police Injustice'' (2003) - compilation featuring "Secret Service Freedom Fighting USA" *''Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1'' (2004) - compilation featuring "The Expatriate Act" *''Fuck World Trade'' (2004) - album by Leftöver Crack with "Soon We'll Be Dead" *''Go-Kart vs. The Corporate Giant 4'' (2006) - compilation featuring a live version of "Tattoos Fade" *''Hugs for Chelsea'' (2017) - compilation featuring "Freedom Is a Wilderness"

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikiquote}} {{Commons}} *[http://www.myspace.com/worldinferno The World/Inferno Friendship Society's myspace] *[http://www.punknews.org/review/5480 Review of "Red-Eyed Soul" on PunkNews.org] *[http://www.vimeo.com/3326069 Interview with World/Inferno Friendship Society on Twilight Vision TV] *[https://www.flickr.com/photos/nonotmebob/sets/72157619553272510/ World Inferno In The Studio 2009] *[http://www.bandtoband.com/band/the-world-inferno-friendship-society The World/Inferno Friendship Society at BandToBand.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Inferno Friendship Society}} Category:1996 establishments in New York City Category:Punk rock groups from New York (state) Category:Dark cabaret musicians Category:Indie rock musical groups from New York (state) Category:Musical groups from Brooklyn Category:Musical groups established in 1996 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2021 Category:Gern Blandsten Records artists Category:Alternative Tentacles artists