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The World/Inferno Friendship Society

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"WIFS" redirects here. For the television station in Janesville, Wisconsin, see WIFS (TV).
The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The lead singer of the band, Jack Terricloth
The lead singer of the band, Jack Terricloth
Background information
Also known asWorld Inferno, Inferno
OriginBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active1994–2021
LabelsAlternative Tentacles
Chunksaah Records
Go-kart Records Europe
Gern Blandsten Records
The Company With The Golden Arm
MembersBrendan Furey
Felipe Torres
Scott Hollingsworth
Aaron Hammes
Rafael Calderon
Jeffrey Young
Gina Marie Rodriguez
Matt Dallow
Past membersJack Terricloth
Websitehttp://www.worldinferno.com/

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.[1]

Hallowmas

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The World/Inferno Friendship Society's annual Halloween show, Hallowmas, was its most-anticipated performance of the year.[citation needed] 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

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Name Instrument(s) Years Other groups
Jack Terricloth Lead vocals, misc. instruments 1996–2021 Sticks and Stones,[2] P.E.D.[3]
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
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[4]
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,[5] 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[6]
Raja Azar Piano, backing vocals 2006–2010 Jollyship the Whiz-Bang
Benjamin Kotch Drums 1997–2007, 2010, 2019 Eve's Plum[7]
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[8]
Franz Nicolay Accordion, piano, backing vocals 2001–2008, 2010–2011, 2019 Guignol, The Hold Steady, Anti-Social Music, Against Me!,[9] Voltaire
Yula Beeri Electric bass, backing vocals 1999–2006, 2019 Nanuchka, Star Fucking Hipsters, Yula & the eXtended Family[10]
Karen Kanan Correa Bass, backing vocals, viola 2005–2006 Demander[11]
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[12]
Kevin Corzett Tenor saxophone 2007–2008 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[13][14]
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[15]
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 Actor, Bag of Nothing 1996-2021 Syndicate of Human Image Traffickers, The Wolfboy of Rego Park
Jon Gilch Drums Sticks and Stones[16]

Discography

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Albums

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Live/compilation albums

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EPs

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  • 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

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  • "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

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  • 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[17]

Other appearances

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  • 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

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  1. ^ "The World/Inferno Friendship Society's Jack Terricloth Dead At 50". Stereogum. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Peter Ventantonio". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  3. ^ "P.E.D. Reunion 30 May 91". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13.
  4. ^ @worldinfernofs (October 23, 2022). "Elegant Everyone, the new project from Sandra Malak will be joining Teorema on 10/31 at St. Anne's" – via Instagram.
  5. ^ "Peter Hess". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  6. ^ "Ken Thomson". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  7. ^ "Benjamin Kotch". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  8. ^ "Semra Ercin". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  9. ^ "Franz Nicolay". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  10. ^ Yula & The Extended Family Archived 2012-12-25 at archive.today Accessed 2011-11-13.
  11. ^ Demander Archived 2011-10-04 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  12. ^ "Dan Bailey". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  13. ^ "Ch. 12c: searching for the young red eyed soul rebels « Wackyhijinx's Blog". Wackyhijinx.wordpress.com. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  14. ^ "Geoffrey Blythe". BandToBand.com. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  15. ^ Ken Firpo Rent Explosion Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  16. ^ Jon Gilch Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  17. ^ "Albumgegevens". Facebook. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
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