The World/Inferno Friendship Society

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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"