Transcript

A (0:00)

You played Riot Fest for the first time.

B (0:01)

Yeah. And I do want to highlight this. Riot Fest was just a very sentimental thing for the band.

A (0:08)

Was the crowd receptive of the Chicago aspect of the band?

B (0:13)

Oh, yeah, We. You know, you could do one of those things when you're on. On a run where you could tell how the show is going to be by certain reactions. So, like, when Chris goes out to start the sample.

A (0:23)

Oh, so you're like, oh, we're good, we're good.

B (0:25)

And then I walked out and I did one of these, and it was. And I was like, okay. And then James walked out, and it was pandemonium.

A (1:00)

Hello, welcome. It's hard Lore time. How you doing, Beau?

B (1:04)

But my son returns. Right.

A (1:07)

Be my beloved. Back in the chair.

B (1:10)

I'm back, baby. 5. Everybody.

A (1:14)

Everybody sees us every week in sequential order. So they don't know that these things are recorded way ahead of time. This. This is. It's Monday right now.

B (1:26)

Monday.

A (1:26)

You're hearing this three days later.

B (1:27)

Yes, exactly. I had. The hilarious thing that happens is when people come up to me on Thursdays on tour and say, like, hey, I loved when you said this. And I'm like, what? That was weeks. I said that?

A (1:38)

When was that?

B (1:40)

It's crazy, man.

A (1:41)

But we're back. Bo's back from his US tour. Harm's Way was just out with Deaf.

B (1:46)

Heaven, and I Promise, I Promised the World was the opener. Deaf Heaven are lovely.

A (1:54)

You'd never met him.

B (1:55)

Summary

HardLore Ep. "Catching Up with HardLore" (October 16, 2025)

Hosts: Colin Young & Bo Lueders
Main Theme: Catching up after Bo’s tour with Harm's Way, stories from the hardcore/punk/metal road, Riot Fest debut, interactions with other notable bands, horror, food and more.

Episode Overview

This episode is an informal yet wide-ranging catch-up between hosts Colin and Bo post-Bo’s return from Harm's Way’s extensive US tour, most notably their debut performance at Riot Fest. They dive deeply into road stories, festival experiences, gear talk, scene reflections, horror movie discussions just in time for October, and casual mailbag Q&A with listeners. The mood is candid, irreverent, and “insider” in tone, with both celebrating scene culture while offering practical insights and offbeat humor.

Riot Fest Debut & Emotional Impact ([00:00]–[11:32])

Bo recounts playing Riot Fest for the first time:
“Riot Fest was just a very sentimental thing for the band. It really felt like—like finally. You know what I mean?” ([09:33])
The band’s Chicago roots received an enthusiastic local response, described by Bo as “pandemonium” when Harm's Way’s singer took the stage ([11:19]).
Notable Moment:
- “Knocked Loose watched us from start to finish. All of them—every single one of their crew and band—watched us on the side of the stage because they're the best. A lot of friends. My mom saw the whole thing. I did Pete Townsend for my mom.” ([10:37])
The set drew an estimated 20,000 attendees, and Bo’s only regret was not having more time in their hometown.

On Touring with Deafheaven & Tour Anecdotes ([01:41], [03:54], [06:02], [07:06])

Camaraderie with Deafheaven:
Despite not knowing the band well before, Bo found them immediately welcoming: “All of them were really cool…very welcoming. Very cool. Everyone’s really—” ([04:39])
Touring hardships:
- Harm’s Way drove roughly 20,000 miles: “To drive from Miami to Seattle is 3,600 miles. We did that about six times.” ([07:06])
- Tour fatigue is real: “My back is exploding...I think it’s from sitting in the van and just being in this position.” ([08:08], [08:46])
On the opener, I Promise, I Promised the World:
Young, managed by scene stalwarts, broke a guitar but received empathy and help from the older bands ([06:10]).

Festivals: Furnace Fest, Casino Show, and Notable Performances ([12:12]–[26:13])

Casino Show with Lamb of God & Body Count ([12:12])

Harm’s Way played a casino date with Lamb of God, I Hate God, and Body Count.
- “If we did a tour with Lamb of God, I…I—we’d be millionaires.” ([13:06])
- “Body Count is unbelievable, dude…they sound checked…like Pearl Jam…going nuts. That’s what Body Count’s doing.” ([13:46]).
- Ice-T’s involvement as “conductor for real” surprises the hosts ([14:07]).
- Fun moment: Body Count opens with “Raining Blood” and “Postmortem” in their entirety ([14:28]).
- Harm’s Way meets Ice-T backstage, via text assist from Will Putney: “Everything was really cool. They offered…their sodas…and then we got the hell out of there.” ([15:04])

Furnace Fest ([20:42], [21:18])

Priceline hotel mishap, classic touring snafu ([21:18]).
Furnace Fest was described as a “blur”, challenging load-ins but “Set was really good. Haywire…just the craziest, like, wow, they really did that, huh?” ([22:55])
Gridiron, Biohazard, and Foundation noted for standout sets ([23:58], [25:17]).
Comment on demographic: “Christian guy who hasn't heard music since 2006" juxtaposed with "a lot of young people keeping it popping and fresh." ([25:04])
Furnace Fest logistics and vibe—often “generated by AI,” referencing schedule weirdness ([23:41]).

Life on the Road: Cities, Food, Gambling, and Gear ([26:13]–[35:17])

B and C market shows: Harm’s Way played less-toured markets like Bloomington, IL and Davenport, IA.
Deafheaven’s love for gambling: “A lot of ceelo happening, a lot of dice…” ([26:24])
Coffee on tour: No luck with good coffee in secondary markets, but glowing review of Jacob Alejandro (Troy, NY): “Crème brûlée latte - damn near blasted through my pants…” ([51:21])
Favorite snacks growing up: Cheez-Its, Red Baron pizzas, zebra cakes, Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies ([39:40])

Scene Reflections: Community, Gatekeeping, and Band Brackets ([29:02]–[34:00])

Respond to criticism that the show isn’t “hardcore enough”:
- "One of the most common themes in this show is my love for youth crew." ([29:37])
Reflect on inclusivity and scene nostalgia:
- “This subculture and community: I think I’m alive and me in a sense because of this.” ([37:20])
Band bracket drama: omitters, representation, intent behind selections ([31:52], [33:20]).

Listener Q&A Highlights ([34:00]–[65:44])

Favorite horror movies: The Thing, Exorcist 1 & 3, Scream 2, Halloween OG, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein ([52:07], [54:44])
Fake bands in movies: Airheads’ Lone Rangers and Reagan Youth cover ([42:21])
Playlists vs. albums: “Playlists are for discovery, albums are for life.” ([44:10])
Mount Rushmore of Camo Patterns: “Duck tiger, Woodland classic, real tree.” ([64:52])
Most surprising band each likes: Hundredth’s synth period for Bo, Colin supports some ICP tracks ([63:39], [64:11])
Dream non-musician guest: Tony Hawk ([60:50])
Songs you wish bands would play live: Battery by Metallica, Death Clock Ticking by TUI ([67:37])
Food cities: Chicago, New York, San Diego, Austin, Las Vegas ([93:54])

October/Horror-Themed Discussion ([52:07], [106:03])

31 for 31 horror movie challenge:
- Colin lists watched films: The Conjuring: Last Rites, Tales of Halloween, Relic, Possession, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Lake Mungo, Shelby Oaks, Audition, and OG Ring ([102:47]–[106:08]).
Notable quote on horror’s pull:
- “I love feeling scared. I’m dying to feel scared. Like a jump scare is the...drug to me.” ([106:33])
Overrated/underrated horror icons: Jason (overrated by Colin), Leatherface (underrated by Bo) ([91:27]–[92:17])

Scene News, Community, and Closing Thoughts ([81:18]–[110:54])

Tribute to Mad Vintage’s Luke Madden:
- “Met his dad and brother…they’re finishing all the commitments he made for every fest and everything…” ([81:18])
- “If any of you have noticed, at the end, there’s a little stinger at the end of every episode, every week. Just for him…” ([83:17])
Fest bubble: Reflect on over-saturation ("bubble has burst") with practical advice: keep shows affordable for young fans ([84:16])
Straight Edge and inclusivity: Neither host judges non-edge folks: “That’s way more impressive to me…fighting every day to be sober…” ([77:54], [87:32])
Relationship advice: “The best hobby to have is do you enjoy spending time together?” ([97:27])
Represents the show’s sense of continuity and scene love: “Quality time is the greatest interest you can have.” ([97:32])

Notable Quotes

On meeting Body Count:
“All of a sudden a door opened...He has us in. We say hello. We get the pic...They offered, like, some of their sodas and, you know, whatever, and it was nice.” ([15:03])
On self-reflection in hardcore:
“I, I, I'm beyond glad. I, I think I'm alive and, and me in a sense because of this subculture and community.” ([37:20])
On how touring changes with age:
“Back hurts. I think it’s hip stuff. I think it’s from sitting. It’s from sitting in the van and just being in this position.” ([08:46])
On horror love:
"I love feeling scared. I’m dying to feel scared. Like a jump scare is...a drug to me." ([106:33])
Parodying critics of their scene knowledge:
“What are you talking about? One of the most common themes in this show is my love for youth crew.” ([29:37])

Memorable Segments

[11:19] Riot Fest crowd “pandemonium” when James enters; “20,000 people watching us.”
[13:46] Body Count soundchecking like it’s a real show, Ice-T as “conductor.”
[26:54] Werewolf slot machine obsession and deep dive into classic monsters.
[52:07, 54:44] Passionate, nuanced debates about best horror movies of all time.
[83:17] Heartfelt memorial for Mad Vintage’s Luke Madden.

Natural Flow & Recurring Themes

Candid, self-aware humor about aging in hardcore/punk.
Celebration of unlikely connections: cross-band camaraderie, helping young bands, mutual aid.
Defending inclusive, open-minded scene values.
Seamless alternation between outrageous anecdotes and heartfelt gratitude.

Timestamps for Key Segments

Riot Fest/Chicago homecoming: [00:00, 09:33, 11:19]
Tour stories, gear discussion, band relationships: [04:39–08:46]
Furnace Fest/Casino show with Body Count/Lamb of God: [12:12–15:35]
Scene/genre reflection, Q&A: [29:02–65:44]
Tribute to Mad Vintage’s Luke: [81:18]
31 for 31 horror watchlist: [102:47–106:08]
Relationship Q&A: [96:15]
Closing scene, shout-outs, and Halloween edge day: [110:16–110:54]

Tone & Language

Tone is informal, irreverent, deeply insider (in-jokes, scene references).
Language is natural, often profane, but also earnest and inclusive.
Underlying theme: the value of belonging and mutual support in hardcore music and underground culture.

If you’re not a regular listener, expect a heady mix of tour war stories, festival insights, scene philosophy, horror fandom, and affectionate jabs—plus a strong sense of community and the inside scoop of the punk/hardcore life.

wavePod

Catching Up with HardLore (Touring with Deafheaven, playing Riot Fest & More!)