Big Hassle Media The World/Inferno Friendship Society are
Vaudeville punks, they’re smirking because they like to play the
music.
By Shana Dines
Daily Bruin Reporter
Not many bands have names that are meant to help improve
people’s lives, but The World/Inferno Friendship Society is
supposed to do just that. The name is a series of disjointed words
combined to help the listeners understand and assimilate
conflicting ideas into their lives.
“This will make them happier and better to deal with the
juxtaposition of the ridiculous and the very serious in
everyone’s lives,” said Jack Terricloth, lead vocalist
and co-founder of World/Inferno. “Our name actually helps
people think. The name is a public service.”
The World/Inferno Friendship Society is a nine-piece punk rock
orchestra with a Vaudeville twist, thanks to Terricloth’s
memories of his father’s time as a small-time Vaudeville
actor. The group will be playing Sunday at the Knitting Factory and
Monday at Spaceland. In addition to all of the standard elements of
a rock band, there are also several jazz instruments in the group.
From the inclusion of a trumpet to a flute to various saxophones
and clarinets, even a mandolin and an accordion,
World/Inferno’s newest CD, “Just the Best Party”
is packed with off-beat rock tunes.
Terricloth has a voice reminiscent of ’50s love crooners
mixed with some ’90s punk whining. With infectious tunes and
lyrics about oddball subjects, the album varies from lively, upbeat
drum-driven punk ballads to waltzes with full symphonic
arrangements to funky polka music.
According to Terricloth, he prefers to write topical songs,
rather than emotional ones.
“I try to write about important questions that are on
everyone’s mind,” Terricloth said.
Starting with the subject of a song, the entire band will then
set to writing the music together, each of the nine members adding
in his or her appropriate parts.
Terricloth and three other current members established
World/Inferno five years ago. Revolving around them, there have
been about 35 members that have come and gone through the band over
time. People often seemed to simply wander off of the streets
during rehearsals and join in the band’s practices. There is
also a tendency within the group to pick up additional members
while on tour, even bringing back their roadie from Europe. What
Terricloth described as starting off as a sock-hop atmosphere has
solidified into a close-knit group.
“It’s a completely incestuous crazy group, almost
frightening,” Terricloth said. “The word
“˜cult’ has been thrown around a lot. I’m actually
applying for cult status so that I won’t have to pay taxes
anymore.”
They may act like a cult, but their performances look like a
circus. The stage is crowded by the nine band members, who are
likely to break into dance when they are not playing. Audience
members are also always invited to dance on the floor or even
onstage with the band. At some New Orleans shows, they performed
with a local circus troupe. The most exciting member of the stage
show, however, is World/Inferno’s full time incendiarist.
Yes, in layman’s terms, that’s a fire-breather and
swallower.
Glad to be on tour again, Terricloth still misses his hometown
of Brooklyn, and the solid fan base that is an important part of
every New York show. However, the excitement of the road keeps them
positive during their tour.
“It is the burning point of life.” Terricloth said.
“I’m sure any musician could tell you that, of course
with our band, the burning is stressed more than with other
bands.”
The World/Inferno Friendship Society will play at the Knitting
Factory at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and at Spaceland Monday night. Call
(323) 463-0204 for the Knitting Factory and (866) 777-TWEB for the
Spaceland show.