The World /Inferno Friendship Society-Reggie's Rock Club

I first happened upon The World /Inferno Friendship Society by chance, opening for Subhumans at Logan Auditorium years ago.   Since then, I've eagerly anticipated their shows, every time they come through town.  It's always a treat to see these Brooklyn natives live.   They're excellent musicians with a sense of humor and an avid following.   Their April 7th show at Reggies Rock Club in Chicago was once again a rockin' good time.

I always half way expect lead singer, Jack Terricloth, to break into the big shoe dance, with his Pee Wee Herman look.   But he's an icon in his own right, with a unique sound, and an adoring legion of fans.   Everyone's smiling when they play  

old favorites like "Only Anarchists are Pretty", "Addicted to Bad Ideas" and "Me V. Angry Mob".   This time we also got a good taste of their new release, The Anarchy and the Ecstasy.

One of my favorite live show moments is the mosh waltz, where everyone is encouraged to partner up with lovers, friends or strangers and waltz.   However, it always turns into a magical, swirling cacophony of laughing punks, happily careening into and bouncing off one another.

They have a new CD out, and a sweet new sax player who claims to be from the Northeast side of Chicago.    Check out their music, touring schedule and What Would Jack Do section, full of brilliant ramblings and amusing musings.

'The Anarchy and the Ecstasy'

Their new album just came out on March 15th on Chunksaah Records.    

Reggies says:

The World / Inferno Friendship Society is one band that might actually be worthy of being called a "society." Consisting of 13 members, recruited from a dream list of "everyone who you never thought would make an album together" (the most peculiar listings from their resume include former members of Blues Traveler, Dexy's Midnight Runners and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons' Half Time Marching Band), the World / Inferno Friendship Society plays every instrument known to man, and has dabbled in every musical genre you could name on a bet. Now this Music Theory class on wheels graces us with a sound that is too out there to be everyday pop, rock, ska, dance, or salsa (even though it sounds like all these), but is too goofy to qualify as serious prog-rock.

The Stranger-Reggies Rock Club

We were impressed with Chicago band, The Stranger, who opened for World Inferno Friendship Society at Reggies Rock Club, April 7th.   These Logan Square boys are self described as Garage, Punk, Rockabilly.   Their lead singer has the rockabilly/ska fancy footwork down and the substance to back it up.  

The Stranger shares local label, Haunted Town Records, with another big favorite of ours, Naked Raygun.    Even Jack Terricloth, lead singer for World/Inferno, was singing their praises and told the crowd at Reggies that The Stranger is a real local treasure, unlike the "crappy bands" they often get stuck with as openers.   

  

How Far to Austin Plays Mayne Stage 3/11/11

Naked Raygun at The Congress Theatre with Dropkick Murphys 2-26-11

Full Slideshow-Minutemen: Double Nickles on the Dime-Econoline + Special Guests

Double click the slide show for full screen and other options

Girls Rock Chicago Benefit:

(you'll recognize a lotta familiar faces from a plethora of Chi-Town bands, jumping in on lead vocals)   A Who's who list from that night is below: 

Sunday, February 20th, for one-night-only, three Chicago-area musicians took on all 45 songs of the Minutemen’s Double Nickels on the Dime LP.  The band, Econoline, formed in 2010 with the sole intention of bringing this revered punk classic to life.  

As this is no small task, they enlisted the help of over a dozen friends, including some of Chicago’s indie and punk rock elite, to get the job done.  Joining the band on vocals were Dianogah front man and poster artist extraordinaire Jay Ryan, Cap’n Jazz/Joan of Arc mastermind Tim Kinsella, fellow suburban punk rocker and Gauge/Haymarket Riot guitarist Kevin J. Frank, avant garde pop-rocker Bobby Conn, Chic-a-Go-Go’s own Miss Mia & Ratso, Golden Horse Ranch band square dance sensation and The 1900s crooner Jeanine O’Toole, garage pop darling and Tyler Jon Tyler front woman Rebecca Flores, now-wave pianist Azita Youssefi and many, many more!

If that’s not enough, Girls Rock! alum and Zombie Masquerade guitarist Ruadhan Ward opened the show and joined the band onstage for a few choice Minutemen songs.

Keller Williams-Park West Photos-Both Kids and 18+ Shows

The Shams Band Live at Lincoln Hall 1-27-2011