The World Inferno Friendship Society

The World/Inferno Friendship Society
The lead singer of the band, Jack Terricloth
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, USA
Genres	Punk rock Punk cabaret Circus punk
Years active	1996–present
Labels	Alternative Tentacles Chunksaah Records Go-kart Records Europe Gern Blandsten Records The Company With The Golden Arm
Website	http://www.worldinferno.com/
Members	Jack Terricloth Sandra Malak Francis Morin Mora Precarious Scott Hollingsworth Aaron Hammes Rafael Calderon Jeffrey Young

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

Its lyrics often concern 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.

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