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 on May 12th 2021, effectively ending the band Terricloth's sister Lisa Ventantonio and band cofounder Scott Hollingsworth founded The Jack Terricloth Foundation in 2022 that have produced multiple events and media, including the tribute album Endless Possibility: A Tribute to Jack Terricloth (featuring artists and collaborators such as Will Wood, Worriers, The Slackers, My Favorite, Ted Leo, The Bouncing Souls, Catbite, Jeff Rosenstock, and more) since his passing. Surviving members of the Inferno's 'Heritage Lineup' (spanning 2001-2005) have since formed and recorded under the name Just the Best Party.