The World/Inferno Friendship Society, Family of the Year, Monster Eats the Pilot 9.18.09 | Downtown Brewing Company | San Luis Obispo, CA
review and photos by Chad Elder This review is not about The Dresden Dolls, but it is hard to mention The World/Inferno Friendship Society on their latest tour without at least acknowledging that Brian Viglione from The Dresden Dolls brought his world class drumming in support of World/Inferno for this tour, and hopefully many more in the future. I love The Dresden Dolls, but The World/Inferno Friendship Society stands firmly on their own crazy legs…so that is the last time I mention them…unless I feel like mentioning them again 2 sentences from now...
In college, I used to go to shows solely based on the name of the band (my plan being to start a column somewhere called “Judged by the Cover” where I would judge bands, not on their music, but on their presentation: name, album art, visuals, etc.). The first band I saw in this manner was a little local band called The Dresden Dolls with probably the best presentation I have ever seen. They drew me into a shady underground of equally interestingly named bands, including Reverend Glasseye and His Wooden Legs and The World/Inferno Friendship Society. As shallow as that makes me, at least I found out about all of these great bands. The sleepy Central Coast town of San Luis Obispo received a special treat as The World/Inferno Friendship Society stopped by Downtown Brew on their quick West Coast Tour, with supporting guests Family of the Year and local rock standouts Monster Eats the Pilot. Monster Eats the Pilot starts out all of the shows they play with a bang, and have become the go-to local support in San Luis Obispo. Their brand of grungy, garage rock mixes well with a wide span of touring bands, even the eccentric lounge punk of The World/Inferno.
Monster Eats the Pilot’s show is full of energy and gets the modest crowd moving early in the night. Guitarist/vocalist Richard Shakelford leads the charge with his gruff vocals and catchy songwriting, while Robert Ochoa sweats and stomps his bass lines in support. Chase Hall, with a week to learn the Monster catalog, fills in wonderfully as the band performs a set full of many new songs and crowd favorites like "Shaped Like Explosions." Family of the Year impressed The World Inferno Friendship Society so much while opening for them in San Francisco that they invited them to follow them to beautiful San Luis Obispo. Silverlake based Family of the Year gladly accepted to the unknown delight of the SLO crowd, and rolled into town in their newly acquired tour RV.
Their name describes them perfectly, with their love-infused folk supported by their warm and inviting live show. Vanessa Jeanne Long spreads her arms wide and sings her heart out alongside guitarist/vocalist Joe Beaulieu Keefe. The whole band’s chemistry is magnetic with Sebastian Keefe, James Buckey, Christina Schroeter, and Brent Freaney rounding out the family.
Their music fills the crowd with happiness, and the sweaty punks sway with the dirty little hippies. Their wholehearted music has begun to win them many accolades including the chance to perform with Ben Folds and The Boston Pops, and their recently released EP, Where’s the Sun, should be in your CD player right now. The punks in suits may not understand the vibe surrounding Downtown Brew in San Luis Obispo, but the end of Family of the Year’s set signals the beginning of what these kids come for, a punk revolution. For The World/Inferno Friendship Society, punk is not a sound, but an attitude and a way of life.
The standard guitar/bass/drums is augmented by the addition of saxophones and keys to create a unique and compelling sound. Front-man Jack Terricloth is the leader of the rebellion in his tailored suit and shined shoes, directing the audience through a barrage of their best, including "Thumb Cinema," "Fiend In Wien," "Only Anarchists Are Pretty," and ending with an amazing version of "Addicted to Bad Ideas." The audience becomes a sea of dancing and colliding, lead by a group of kids dressed up like characters from Where the Wild Things Are.
The Infernites are a rabid group of World/Inferno fans that can be identified by their pressed suits and their ability to sing every word of every song. They travel far and wide with the band, and even make appearances at smaller shows like this one. These fans, along with the band, press the energy level through the roof of Downtown Brew, and when it is finally time for the audience to join together for the traditional Waltz that accompanies The World/Inferno shows, the kids are dripping sweat as they laugh and dance. The World/Inferno Friendship Society have been performing for over ten years, with various members coming and going in that time. No matter who is behind the instruments, the ageless Jack Terricloth and company never cease to amaze. On this quiet night, in this quiet town, World/Inferno blew away the dirty California hippies and gained a few new Infernites along the way.
Check out the full sets of the World/Inferno, Family of the Year, Monster Eats the Pilot concert photos. >> www.myspace.com/worldinferno >> www.myspace.com/familyoftheyear >> www.myspace.com/monstereatsthepilotmusic