HardLore – Episode: 9/11 Anniversary Q&A Special

Hosts: Colin Young (Twitching Tongues & God's Hate), Bo Lueders (Harms Way)
Date: September 11, 2025
Podcast Description: “Hardcore + Lore = HardLore. Stories from touring life in the hardcore/punk/metal scenes are discussed within biographical conversations with notable weekly guests.”

Episode Overview

This HardLore episode marks the 24th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Intended as a 9/11 “retrospective,” the hosts discuss their memories of the day, the profound effects it had culturally and personally, and share stories from musician Scott Vogel. The episode then transitions into a wide-ranging, rapid-fire Q&A session, answering listener-submitted questions on hardcore culture, music, touring, personal anecdotes, and more. The episode is candid, nostalgic, and peppered with humor and inside-scene banter.

9/11 Memories & Retrospective (01:13–12:51)

The Concept

• The hosts intended to collect 9/11 stories from musicians, “where they were on one of the craziest days in human history,” but only Scott Vogel accepted.

Colin’s Story (01:29–04:18)

• Was in elementary school, West Hartford, CT.
• Just visited the Twin Towers weeks before with parents (“some weird thing called the Landmark Forum, which I’m pretty sure is a cult”).
• Learned about the attack when a classmate (Cameron) casually blurted, “the twin towers blew up.”
• Vividly recalls disbelief: “That’s not possible. I was just there. It’s too big to blow up.”
• Remembers post-9/11 changes: TSA, new air travel fees, general atmosphere.

Memorable Quote:
“I guarantee you it’s more vivid for [my teacher] than it is for me... she’s probably at dinner that night, like... this fucking kid Cameron comes in swinging his fists around, doing the thing... chewing gum, says ‘the twin towers blew up’.” — Colin (03:09)

Bo’s Story (05:38–08:30)

• Was in 8th grade; visited the World Trade Center on August 11, 2001 (“Notice my Charlie the Tuna shirt from Kohl’s…”).
• Heard about the attacks via school announcement, watched live broadcast as “all my friends were... all I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance that day.”
• Recalls the eerie silence near O’Hare Airport post-attacks; not a plane in the sky.

Memorable Quote:
“I screamed at the top of my lungs, ‘we’re all going to die.’ Because again, I was trying to be funny. I was just in 8th grade, dude.” — Bo (07:28)

Aftermath and Cultural Impact (08:46–12:48)

• Both discuss media, patriotism, and anti-Muslim and conspiracy theory fallout.
• Memories of tributes—The Who playing “We Won’t Get Fooled Again” for NYC firefighters.
• Reckoning with lingering health issues among first responders.

Notable Discussion:

• Importance of 9/11 as a generational “Where were you?” moment, akin to JFK assassination.

Scott Vogel’s 9/11 Story (11:13–12:48)

• Living in Arizona, transitional time before founding Terror.
• Remembers not grasping the gravity immediately due to lack of instant news.
• Mentions it’s also his mother’s birthday and the day Rabies (legendary NYHC figure) died: “Pretty intense day.”
• No cell phone or internet—news spread slowly.

Timestamp Highlights:

• [01:29] – Colin’s 9/11 story
• [05:38] – Bo’s 9/11 story
• [11:13] – Introduction to Scott Vogel’s account

Childhood Misunderstandings & Funny Anecdotes (13:25–16:45)

• Hosts reminisce about misunderstandings as kids (plant nurseries, street signs).
• Bo thought “throw kosh into the wind” was the phrase, invented the concept of credit cards as a 10-year-old, and Colin claims he invented Postmates.
• Both did food delivery work, with stories about hustle vs. gig economy realities.

Quote:
“Why wouldn’t the pizza man also deliver anything else?... I invented being the biggest piece of shit on the planet, which all of us active delivery service users are. But we’re also, you know, supporting gig workers and the local economy.” — Colin (15:45)

Main Q&A Discussion (17:08–111:32)

Note: Q&A covers a vast array of topics. Below are the main sections, the most notable answers with timestamp references, and selected memorable quotes.

1. First-Listen Records & Music Nostalgia (17:12–20:16)

• If you could hear a record again for the first time:
  • Colin: Into Another – Ignaurus, Coheed – In Keeping Secrets..., Pink Floyd – The Wall
  • Bo: Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy, AFI’s “Fall Children,” Metallica – “Master of Puppets”

Bo: “That [‘Over the Hills and Far Away’] was the first real brain worm I ever had... To this day if I pick up an acoustic guitar, that’s what I play.” (19:06)

2. “Hardest Drum Fill Intros” (20:16–21:17)

• Picks: King Diamond – “Welcome Home,” Cro-Mags – “Age of Quarrel,” Death – “Scavenger of Human Sorrow,” Killing Time’s “Telltale,” Cro-Mags’ “Death Camps”
• Fun trivia: Only time a drummer is credited on a Cro-Mags song is “Death Camps.”

3. Martial Arts and Spin Kicks in Hardcore (21:24–22:47)

• Colin considers spin kicking to be “innate,” just comes from repetition.
• Bo: “I’ve thrown like four spin kicks in my life in a pit... and you stopped, you know, and I think that was why the height ain’t there.”

4. Fictional Characters & Movie Theater Rants (22:47–26:32)

• Colin relates to Batman and Dr. Manhattan, rants about movie theater etiquette.
• Anecdote: Bo takes a forbidden title card photo at a JAWS showing, causing Colin much consternation.
• Colin’s old bedroom used to be the pool house where Jaws was edited.

5. Straight Edge: Philosophy, Preferences, and T-Shirt Discourse (26:32–27:53, 32:52–33:38, 79:52–80:28)

• “How long do you need to be sober before you claim straight edge?” “It’s personal. Do it for you. Or don’t do it at all.” (26:34)
• Straight edge: Both agree it’s about personal choice, not for external validation.
• Later, they confront wearing straight edge shirts while drinking, and don’t care: “That’s the bravest guy in the room.” (107:38)

6. Halloween Playlist & Traditions (27:06–28:26, 50:59–53:17)

• Hosts’ Halloween Mount Rushmore playlist:
  • “Monster Mash” is the number one essential.
  • Misfits’ “Halloween 2,” Nekromantix’s “Haunted Cathouse,” London After Midnight’s “Sacrifice,” and others get mentions.
• As for traditions: Colin makes a movie calendar, Bo insists on carving pumpkins.

7. Music to Uplift & Recent Live Shows (29:03–32:50, 56:07–57:32)

• Bo: “I don’t really listen to music to get uplifted.”
• Colin’s quick pick: Ghostbusters 2 soundtrack.
• Latest live shows include Nine Inch Nails (“the Cube... looked like Dune. It was awesome.”) and Acid Bath’s resurrection.
• Both strongly praise the design and experience of the Metallica pinball machine (91:12).

8. Veganism in Hardcore (33:14–33:41)

• Earth Crisis cited as a big influence, veganism/straight edge seen as “opposition to the mainstream.”
• More nuanced answer to come in upcoming Davey Havoc episode.

9. Ranking Hardcore Eras/Decades (34:05–36:42)

• Both agree: 80s > 90s > 2010s > 2000s (with caveats for unfinished current decade).
• Passionate about the foundational role of the ‘80s scene.

10. Artist Supergroups, Name Addendums, and Band Names (101:22–104:13)

• Discuss the pros/cons of supergroups (Path of Resistance, Eyes of the Lord).
• On band names: “If it already exists, don’t do it.” (102:56)
• Criticism of using state abbreviations or add-ons as a fix for taken names.

11. Favorite (and Least Favorite) Merch (98:00–99:12)

• Worst Harm’s Way shirt: “Warriors Still Reign” (bad colors).
• Worst Twitching Tongues: Angry Birds font with Misfits rip-off.
• Story: Bo’s mom unwittingly bought the infamous shirt from a bandmate on eBay.

12. Touring Life & Missing Shows (48:33–50:53)

• Both tell stories of missing big shows for touring obligations—Colin’s involves a missed Longmont Potion Castle live call thanks to Brody King, Bo missed seeing Björk for the first time to tour Europe.

13. Discussion on AI in Music (64:27–69:05)

• Both are wary (“If you need [AI] now, you don’t. You shouldn’t get the privilege of being applauded for your creativity for something you didn’t do.” — Colin, 66:27), but see nuance in using AI for efficiency or research.
• Use AI for podcast editing highlights (“actual proper use”), but agree on “Skynet, bad” (69:10).

14. Touring, Gigging, and Gear Advice (81:09–84:18)

• For new guitarists: “Get a little Squire... get a Quilter [amp].” (81:21)
• Advice on budget gear and importance of gig-readiness.
• On training’s effects: both think gym training changes how you perform and audiences do judge artists’ visuals.

15. Personal Impact & Listener Appreciation (57:36–58:49, 72:01–75:25)

• Hosts reflect on fans saying the podcast helped them through tough times: “Every single thing like that is like... I never forget that.” — Colin (58:05)
• Grateful for their editor, Stephen, and emphasize continued motivation comes from the community and the scene.

16. Funniest On-Stage Moments (69:06–71:50)

• Colin: Noticed a French fan at Hellfest wearing a shirt reading “We hate boobies, we hate pussy, women suck.”
• Bo: At Hellfest, French fan with a huge flag displaying a hairy asshole (“Nick just goes… it broke all of us.” 70:35)

17. Miscellaneous Highlights

• Alien Franchise Deep Dive (41:09–47:06):
  Discussion on the quality of each film, Alien Isolation game, Sigourney Weaver’s influence, and continuity quirks.
• Movie soundtracks: The Exorcist’s “sexy bass” moment (51:38).
• Mount Rushmore of modern hardcore: Turnstile, Have Heart, Trapped Under Ice, Terror (109:34+).
• Random band/gear/life questions: Preference for fountain soda, worst show overlaps, fun naming stories, and more.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I invented credit cards as a ten-year-old.” — Bo (15:41)
• “If you need [AI], you shouldn’t get the privilege of being applauded for your creativity.” — Colin (66:27)
• “The best Halloween song in history. It’s the Monster Mash. It supersedes all.” — Colin (27:15)
• “If you’re not now, you will be soon.” (re: straight edge) — Colin (26:38)
• “It’s a great, great time to be here.” — Bo, reflecting on the current state of heavy music and its resurgence (41:09)
• “Fountain can, glass bottle. I don’t care about the glass.” — Colin (100:17)

Closing

• Next episode: Davey Havoc (AFI) Part 1, hyped as a true “premium live event.”
• Both hosts share excitement for upcoming festivals, band releases, and personal milestones (Colin’s birthday, Bo’s tour).
• Final banter on soda, merch regrets, festival schedules, and listener appreciation.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

• This episode blends heavy, heartfelt recollections of September 11 with classic HardLore banter and deep scene lore.
• The Q&A covers everything — from scene philosophy (straight edge, veganism, AI, merch) to gear tips, to personal and scene history.
• The tone is irreverent but deeply connected to hardcore and its community.

Key Time-Stamped Segments:

• [01:13] – 9/11 stories
• [17:12] – Q&A begins
• [41:09] – Alien movie deep dive
• [72:01] – Reflections on podcast motivations
• [109:34] – Modern day “Big Four” of hardcore

Bottom line:
The “9/11 Q&A Special” is a maximalist, candid, and highly engaging episode, blending memorial, scene history, and pure fan service. A must-listen for those who love in-depth band banter, music trivia, and hardcore culture.