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The World Inferno Friendship Society @ Club Lambi
It was Wednesday May 18, 2011—just three days before the impending Rapture that would kick off the end of the world (as predicted by Harold Camping). In anticipation for that fateful moment, I made a list of five simple things I wanted to do before death on Saturday:
- See one last show
- Party with friends
- Dance like crazy
- Sing 'till my voice turns hoarse
- Find a partner in crime to loot with
I figured what better band to go see right before the Apocalypse than The World/Inferno Friendship Society.
Over the last 15 years, this punk rock cabaret collective from Brooklyn, New York have gained an international cult-like following due to notoriously crazy performances, particularly at their annual Hallowmas celebration.
Their devoted fans—the Infernites—are known to dress up and congregate in mass numbers to sing along and mosh their asses off at World/Inferno shows. These people like to party, and (as the legend goes) the party doesn't stop until all the fancy outfits are shredded and doused in cheap wine and beer, everyone does the “claw”, and at least one acolyte begins to bleed profusely.
This rumour excited me. Right away I could scratch four things off my list: show, party, dance, sing. And from what I had heard, frontman Jack Terricloth will smash shit up and steal right along with you when the riots start. A partner in crime—that makes five. My list would be complete.
I called out to everyone I knew: "Come with me to see this show! It-is-going-to-be-epic." But there was no answer.
Distraught, I put on my usual concert garb: chucks, jeans, and a t-shirt. But out of respect for the band I later changed my mind and slipped into my best dress, put on makeup, wore heels, and hurried off to Club Lambi by myself. I prayed on the way that the Infernites would be there to celebrate our last nights on earth.
But, to quote the “Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot, "This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper." There were about 30 living people at the venue that night, and maybe two or three ghosts of dead punk rockers. What happened, friends? Oh, you had the same problem I did!
(Note: CJLO's own Matty Matt from Radio Fun sent a text later and joined me at the show!)
Even with poor attendance, it was pretty damn great to be there.
On tour to support their latest release, The Anarchy and the Ecstasy (what a fitting title for the Apocalypse!), the World/Inferno came to Montreal with seven band members, many of them new to the lineup. Performing that night were Mora Precarious (drums), Leslie Wacker (alto sax), Rebecca Schlappich (violin), Frank Morin (guitar), Matthew Landis (keyboard), Sandra Malak (bass), and of course Jack Terricloth (vocals, guitar).
Before taking the stage, Jack introduced himself to every attendee personally, and invited us to come toward the stage and see the band play. The true fans went right up front, and when the World/Inferno opened with “Tattoos Fade”, the tiny crowd went nuts. They danced so hard it made the floor bounce.
The show lasted about an hour, and mixed old and new songs. “I Am Sick Of People Being Sick Of My Shit” and “Canonize Philip K. Dick, OK” made the usually calm Canadians in the audience panic just a little, and old favourites like “Cats Are Not Lucky Creatures”, “Just the Best Party”, and “Only Anarchists Are Pretty” (the encore) left the one or two true Infernites in attendance very happy.
The stand-out track for me was the ballad "The Politics of Passing Out", due in part to the lyrics and music reminiscent of Billy Bragg's “A New England”, and the accompanying vocals of bassist Sandra Malak (her voice complimented Mr. Terricloth's so well).
The acoustics at the venue were solid, and minor technical difficulties (a temperamental mic stand, and a guitar mistakenly left unplugged at sound check) became part of the on-stage banter among the band.
No World/Inferno show would be complete without Terricloth's storytelling. He lamented the loss of his punk-rocker friends long since passed, and asked the crowd which dead-and-gone Canadian punk bands they knew. In response to The Nils, Jack told the tale about how some dude named Paul stole their van when The Nils toured the US. The band tried to find the elusive “Paul” and get their gear back. However, since Jack was less than helpful in giving clues of Paul's whereabouts, the search was in vain. Punk rock history, folks!
The event wasn't crazy, but it was intimate and nice. There were even a couple of guys in suits. Thankfully the Rapture never happened, and the World/Inferno Friendship Society can come back. Listen friends, this band has it all, they just need us.
-Stephanie Dee hosts Twee Time on Fridays from 8-9pm
May 25, 2011
Raed by Sarah Deshaies
Produced by Nikita Smith
Stories by Dominique Daoust, Alina Gotcherian, AJ Cordeiro, Corentine Rivoire, Sarah Deshaies
Canucks Play for the Cup
The Canucks are headed to the Stanley Cup Finals! The only Canadian team left in the NHL playoffs took down the San jJse Sharks in a double overtime 3-2 win Tuesday night.
The last time Vancouver made the Stanley Cup final was in 1994. Now that the Canucks have won the Western conference final, they will play either the Boston Bruins or the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Stanley Cup.
New sanctions against Syria
In international news, Ottawa has announced immediate sanctions against Bashar al-Assad’s regime, in an attempt to stop the brutal crackdown on protesters in Syria. The sanctions were announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, at a news conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday. The sanctions include a travel ban for Syrian president and other officials, as well as an asset freeze.
Also important is Canada’s ban on exports of certain goods and technologies, as well as military items and munitions intented for use by the Syrian forces. All bilateral co-operation agreements and initiatives between Canada and Syria will be suspended. Canadians, as well as those living abroad, are barred from dealing in property belonging to certain listed individuals.
All Canadians are recommended not to travel to Syria. The seriousness of the sanctions are not intented to punish the Syrian people, but to force the government to answer the democratic call of its people.
After protesting for ten consecutive weeks, the people of Syria have been met by an escalating cycle of brutal repression, already sanctioned by the US and Europe.
Protest Saturday against the Berger Blanc
Animal-welfare advocates will be taking to the streets this Saturday in cities across Quebec. They will be protesting Montreal's use of for-profit animal-control service The Berger Blanc in many of the city's municipalities.
The Society for the Protection of animals, the body organizing the demonstrations, is also threatening the city with a tourism boycott. The group says they'll call a boycott if the city does not produce a written pledge that it will take over animal-control services by next year.
The Berger Blanc came under fire last month when a hidden-camera video captured by the SPA appeared on the Radio-Canada show Enquête. The video appears to depict animals at the centre being inhumanely euthanized.
Montreal’s protest will be staged in front of city hall at 1 p.m. Protesters are expected to dump their dog licences into the trash to protest against the city’s current animal-control policies. According to the SPA, paying the city for a dog licence is akin to giving your money to The Berger Blanc.
Reward offered for information on murdered girl
Information concerning the disappearance and murder of a Montreal girl will be met with a reward. Jolène Riendeau was ten years old when she disappeared in April of ninety-nine following a trip to a convenience store. A reward as high as thirty thousand dollars was offered by six anonymous donors.
Police are also reaching out for the public’s help. The young girl’s remains were found last September under a bridge.
Due to an ongoing homicide investigation, the family was only informed this month. A forty-seven year old man was detained by police shortly after they announced the recovery of the body. He has reportedly been released after questioning. However, the police claim he remains a prime suspect as they continue to gather more evidence.
Tornado devastates Missouri
Over a hundred people have been found dead in Joplin, Missouri after a Tornado ravaged the town on Sunday. The death toll is the highest for a tornado in the US since 1953. Winds were measured at up to 320 kilometers per hour.
The town of Joplin has been utterly devastated. Buildings were levelled and cars were torn completely apart into scrap metal. Residents 70 miles away found debris from the destroyed Joplin Hospital on their driveways.
17 people were rescued and found alive Monday night.The search for survivors will continue today.
Eminem, Bieber win big at Billboard Awards
Top Artist Eminem and Top New Artist Justin Bieber were the big winners at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, taking home six trophies each.
Eminem also took home the Top Billboard 200 Album award for his 2010 release “Recovery.”
Bieber won the Top Social, Streaming and Digital Media Awards at his first ever BBMAs.
Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift each won three awards.
The award show was the first Billboard Music Awards since 2007.
It included performances by Nicki Minaj, Cee-Lo Green, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Beyoncé, who received the night’s Millennium Award.
Winners at the BBMAs are determined by chart performances, album and single sales and radio airplay.
Airports close in Iceland
Iceland closed its main international airport on Sunday after a volcanic eruption. The country's most active volcano, sent ash and smoke twenty kilometers into the air. Airlines were told on Sunday to brace for a possible further spread of ash later in the week.Ash could reach northern Scotland by midday on Tuesday and reach other parts of Britain, western France and northern Spain by Friday if nothing changes. A thick cloud of ash blocked out the daylight at towns and villages at the foot of the glacier, where the volcano lies.
May 23rd 2011
Read by Sofia Gay
Produced by Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo
Stories by Sofia Gay, Chris Hanna, and Jacqueline Di Bartolomeo
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