World/Inferno Friendship Society @ Marquee Theatre

Given the strict observance of "punk rock rules" that define the genre now, it's hard to believe that the original CBGB bands had more in common with hippies than anyone you might see on Epitaph's roster. That's right, punk used to all be about personal expression and fashion code, minor...

By Serene Dominic

January 26, 2012

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Given the strict observance of "punk rock rules" that define the genre now, it's hard to believe that the original CBGB bands had more in common with hippies than anyone you might see on Epitaph's roster. That's right, punk used to all be about personal expression and fashion code, minor chord aversion be damned. The guys and gals of the World/Inferno Friendship Society have more than enough superficial indie-punk cred to impress you hard/ fast rubes: They're actually from Brooklyn, unlike all the bearded beer guts from the Midwest who move there to get noticed. The band's rotating personnel of horn, accordion, marimba, and clarinet players (can't do klezmer punk without that clarinet) has included members of Black 47, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Nine Inch Nails, The Hold Steady, and Gutbucket (the stylistic breadth among those last three aggregations is enough to convince you these guys don't give a Flying V what you think). W/IFS is doing things its own ham-fisted way. And outspoken lead singer Jack Terricloth has enough punkish self-loathing that's he's not above burning himself in effigy at shows while staying in your face with melody, showmanship, and charm! Oi-oi-vey!

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