The World/Inferno Friendship Society Explained

The World/Inferno Friendship Society
Background:group_or_band
Alias:World Inferno, Inferno
Origin:Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Years Active:1994–2021
Label:Alternative Tentacles
Chunksaah Records
Go-kart Records Europe
Gern Blandsten Records
The Company With The Golden Arm
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.[1]

Hallowmas

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

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, 2012–2020Sticks 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, 2018–2021Moisturizer, 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 GoodmanViolin2020–2021Speakeasy Streets, Teorema
Jonny Zuckerman (Jonny Zeee)Guitar2019–2020Powdermaker, Kung Fury, The Shivering Brigade, Res Novae
Matthew LandisKeyboards2008–2015, 2017–2019Minor Arcana, Poison Street, Teorema
Benjamin ReichmanTrumpet, Guitar2017–2019Glowing-Eyed Friends, Future Ghosts
Francis MorinGuitar2010–2018Voltaire, Serpenteens, Res Novae, Black Rose Burning
Sandra MalakBass, Vocals2006–2019Leftöver 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
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
Drums 2007 Leftöver Crack, The Slackers, Star Fucking Hipsters
Semra Ercin Percussion, bells, backing vocals 1996–2008, 2019The Working Mothers, Chandeliers, kiss Slash Crooked Smile, Casa de Chihuahua, Kid Casanova[8]
Accordion, piano, backing vocals 2001–2008, 2010–2011, 2019Guignol, The Hold Steady, Anti-Social Music, Against Me!,[9] Voltaire
Electric bass, backing vocals 1999–2006, 2019Nanuchka, 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)
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

Albums

Live/Compilation albums

Singles

EPs

Unreleased demos

Other appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The World/Inferno Friendship Society's Jack Terricloth Dead At 50 . Stereogum . 15 May 2021 . en . 14 May 2021.
  2. Web site: Peter Ventantonio . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  3. Web site: P.E.D. Reunion 30 May 91 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Y8WcJkySfVY. 2021-12-13 . live. YouTube.com.
  4. CkDyrFjuPTo. worldinfernofs. Elegant Everyone, the new project from Sandra Malak will be joining Teorema on 10/31 at St. Anne's.. October 23, 2022.
  5. Web site: Peter Hess . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  6. Web site: Ken Thomson . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  7. Web site: Benjamin Kotch . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  8. Web site: Semra Ercin . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  9. Web site: Franz Nicolay . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  10. http://yxfmmusic.tumblr.com/about Yula & The Extended Family
  11. http://www.demandernyc.com/futurebrite Demander
  12. Web site: Dan Bailey . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  13. Web site: Ch. 12c: searching for the young red eyed soul rebels « Wackyhijinx's Blog . Wackyhijinx.wordpress.com . 2010-07-19 . 2011-11-04.
  14. Web site: Geoffrey Blythe . BandToBand.com . 2011-11-04.
  15. http://livecheapordie.blogspot.com Ken Firpo Rent Explosion
  16. http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/jon-gilch/3511597 Jon Gilch
  17. Web site: Albumgegevens . Facebook . 2011-11-04.