The Devil’s Ball – THE WORLD/INFERNO FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY

The World/Inferno Friendship Society (also referred to as “World Inferno”, or “Inferno”) is an American 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, of whom only about seven to ten active members usually perform 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 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.

Convenience is the devil’s tongue Honesty it’s the devil’s foreplay Circus folk you say, time to slip away It seems I’ve played this scene before you know and Anything could happen The night before the day of the dead Boys and girls they’ve always said, â#128##156#Arbor days, look forward to themâ#128##157# Arbor days, cherish them Though our parents’ parents and our parents’ friends always say, â#128##156#Arbor days, deny themâ#128##157# Our children’s children and our children’s friends Sipping chocolate on the day of the dead Confusion is the devil’s cool True love it’s the devil’s crowbar A party you say, well I might stay I’d love to make the scene ’cause you know Anything could happen The day after the day of the dead Boys and girls, they’ve always said, â#128##156#Arbor days look forward to themâ#128##157# Arbor days, cherish them Though our parents’ parents and our parents’ friends always say, â#128##156#Arbor days, deny themâ#128##157# Our children’s children and our children’s friends Stealing chocolate on the day of the dead Who spilled the wine? Every goddamn time Easy come, but please don’t go Tonight is the devil’s ball, you could come every fall We’ll dance and scream and burn ’cause you know that Anything could happen