World/Inferno at White Eagle Hall

The World/Inferno Friendship Society just finished up a big (for them) tour of 16 shows, starting in Key West, Florida, and ending in (some members’ hometown of) Jersey City. That’s a pretty intense tour schedule for them, and I think only three band members played every show.

I really really really wanted to do the Florida tour because, well, it’s Florida in January, and the chaos of trying to figure out how to get from one city to the next is what I live for. But alas, that didn’t happen for me this time. Instead, I got myself to the final show at White Eagle Hall in Jersey, where I did not tell a single Infernite I was showing up. I’m not exactly the best surprise, because I don’t exactly surprise people very well, but I tried.

I saw ex-merch girl Danielle outside the venue and she didn’t question my presence in the least. We just hugged. Her boyfriend Ben is the new trumpet player for Inferno. It’s weird not seeing her do merch anymore, but I was happy to see her there and happy.

Two members of the band saw me near the bar and recognized my face and waved, but I only know four band members’ names, and they are not part of those four. There are a lot of different instruments rotating in World/Inferno. They don’t know me beyond my face anyway, so they have no idea I live in California these days.

The best surprise was my friend Doug. He houses me in Brooklyn sometimes, and he did the California Inferno tour with me a few years back. I was in the bathroom washing my hands when someone opens the door, and there’s Doug looking at me with his mouth open like “What the fuck are you doing here, Lindsay?!” Yeahhh about that…

Part of this trip was also planned to see a certain boy who was passed out on NyQuil and not out dancing with me. I tried to explain to the Infernites that I can’t possibly plan a trip for JUST a boy, because honestly screw boys, so I had to also plan for a show (and a friggin Inferno pit, which is the BEST) as well so I know at least SOMETHING on this trip would be worth it.

It was. Inferno is always worth it. No regrets.

Then there was Margot, who was surprised to me. We chatted for a little while. She’s super sweet, I love her. Then we had Patty, who also did the California tour, and who was not surprised to see me:

“Glad you made it!”

And Whitney, who was a little surprised:

“Were you already in town?”

And Scott, who might not even know where I live honestly, and just asked how Green Day is.

That was about the extent of my attempt to surprise Infernites. It kinda happened, but mostly meh.

Doug had a photo pass so he could spend the show on the balcony taking pictures. He told someone before the show started that I’d be in/on top of the pit all night. I’ve actually never crowdsurfed at an Inferno show. The crowd scares me a little bit. It looks like a very different surf than what I’m used to. I’m not sure why, but Infernites can be pretty nuts.

I love it. There’s seriously nothing like an Inferno pit. If you can’t have fun at an Inferno show, you’re not someone I need to be friends with, basically. And ya gotta love how often you’re getting tossed from location to location without even trying.

Crazy and the Brains opened the show. They were pretty good. The singer was in the crowd at one point.

The internet (and my memory) is failing me, so here’s what I remember from the setlist:

Tattoos Fade

OBVIOUSLY they always open with this song.

Don’t Kiss Me, I’m Running Out of Lipstick

Thumb Cinema

American Mercurial

Your Younger Man

WHERE DID THE CONFETTI COME FROM and why didn’t I have any, rude.

Me v. Angry Mob

There’s always a human pyramid for this song. It collapsed this time. Boo. Cool that it happens, though.

Second Chance Saloon

The Naughty Little Rat Makes New Friends

There’s normally a huge circle pit for this song, which I LOVE, but this show was somehow a little too chaotic for that. The circle pit just didn’t happen, because everyone was already moshing too hard.

Yes, people mosh pretty intensely to a circus/cabaret punk band. We also partner dance/waltz. It’s weird and I love it.

There were also an insane amount of stagedivers at this show.

Only Anarchists Are Pretty

This was AMAZING. They did it acapella. I think maybe one instrument started the song and I couldn’t tell what song it was, but then Jack goes, “You know this. Sing along,” and we all start singing it.

We sang a good portion of the song without the band. It was absolutely beautiful.

Me and the Mad Monkettes

Paul Robeson

There were two requests from the audience played, but I honestly have no idea what they were. I just remember bassist Sandra Malak having to ask one specific person in the front for a request because they couldn’t distinguish voices all yelling out song requests at the same time. I mean, obviously.

Honestly I have no idea what else they played. That was definitely not the entire setlist, and I doubt that was the order they were played in either (aside from “Tattoos Fade” being first).

One thing I did notice, though, was that I know like…everything they play now. I remember a few years back saying I know maybe 75% of songs they play live, but I think I’ve seen them live enough times now to know like…all of it.

They’re much more of a live band than a recorded band, even though I collect their CDs as well.

There were streamers and balloons and confetti by the end of the show. It was a huge mess, but lots of fun as always. I’m so about it. The party and the dancing are the best, and I’ll never get sick of it.