HardLore: Stories from Tour - Episode Summary: "Hardcore on TV? (December Q&A Special)"

Released on December 12, 2024, HardLore: Stories from Tour brings listeners an engaging and insightful episode titled "Hardcore on TV? (December Q&A Special)." Hosted by Colin Young (God's Hate) and Bo Lueders (Harm's Way), this special edition delves into the intersection of hardcore music and mainstream media, personal anecdotes from the hosts, and a dynamic Q&A session with their dedicated audience.

1. Personal Updates and Holiday Preparations

The episode opens with Colin Young sharing light-hearted updates about new merchandise and recent personal experiences. Bo Lueders provides a glimpse into his new sauna setup, humorously detailing the unconventional design:

Bo (00:57): "It's hard lore time."

The hosts also discuss their Thanksgiving celebrations, with Bo recounting his solo cooking endeavors and Colin highlighting his sister-in-law Kyla’s exceptional pie-making skills:

Colin (03:26): "Kyla's my sister-in-law is perhaps the greatest pie maker in human history."

These personal stories set a cozy and relatable tone, offering listeners a connection beyond the music.

2. Dead Body's Performance at AEW Pay-Per-View

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Dead Body's (Colin and Bo's band) groundbreaking performance at an AEW pay-per-view event in New Jersey. Colin describes the logistical nightmare of performing on an unusually small stage:

Colin (11:03): "They built an 8 by 12 stage, which thinking about 8ft by 12ft with not a lot of space for a four-piece band."

Despite the cramped conditions, the hosts express immense satisfaction with how the performance unfolded, attributing success to their persistence and collaboration with AEW's team:

Bo (08:41): "Just it happening at all. Absolute miracle."

Colin further emphasizes the surreal success of integrating hardcore music into a mainstream sports entertainment platform:

Colin (13:13): "Legitimate miracle. I don't think it could have gone better."

3. The Impact of Hardcore Music in Mainstream Media

Colin and Bo explore the broader implications of Dead Body's appearance on national television. They discuss the balance between maintaining hardcore's underground ethos and embracing mainstream opportunities. Bo advocates for a positive outlook, emphasizing community and ethical practices:

Bo (21:25): "Don't worry about gatekeeping; it's just a community."

Colin echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of bands investing in their performances and supporting the hardcore scene without compromising their values:

Colin (22:32): "There's many factors that must be considered."

4. Year-End Reflections and Future Plans

Reflecting on a successful year, the hosts express gratitude towards their listeners and outline exciting plans for the upcoming year. This includes potential trips, the introduction of new guests, and retrospective episodes showcasing their journey:

Colin (05:01): "We thank you all for sticking with us. We've had some real dream guests."

Bo adds that they may revisit past episodes and continue to innovate within the show:

Bo (05:37): "We can run some people back even from the mini episodes, stuff like that."

5. Community Building and Engagement

Emphasizing the importance of community, Colin and Bo promote their Discord server as a hub for listeners to connect and engage directly with the hosts. They encourage new listeners to join and become part of the HardLore family:

Colin (24:13): "This is where it happens. Join that. And next time we do one of these, you'll be part of it."

6. Q&A Segment Highlights

The heart of the episode lies in the extensive Q&A session, where Colin and Bo respond to a variety of questions from their audience. Key topics include favorite bands, personal anecdotes, opinions on music trends, and more.

Favorite Holiday TV Special

Bo nominates The Office episode "Benihana Christmas" as his favorite, highlighting its humorous and heartwarming moments:

Bo (89:13): "Probably it's gonna be an Office episode, probably Benihana Christmas."

Unpopular Opinions

Colin openly criticizes corn off the cob, deeming it unnecessary in meals:

Colin (138:18): "I'm so sick of corn off the cob in any meal. I don't think it contributes anything positive."

Bo supports a similar stance on sauces, viewing them as mandatory rather than enhancing elements:

Bo (139:25): "If a sauce is required to make your meal, then your meal is bullshit."

Childhood Memories and Embarrassing Moments

Both hosts share cringe-worthy stories from their youth involving unfortunate incidents of accidental flatulence:

Colin (109:34): "In fourth grade, I was blamed because I farted one time during reading time. I was blamed for every subsequent fart in the class for the rest of the year."

Favorite Kaiju and Horror Movies

Bo expresses his affection for Gamera, a lesser-known giant turtle monster, while Colin favors Hedorah from the Godzilla franchise. Bo also mentions his plans to watch Nosferatu during the holiday season:

Bo (81:37): "Gamera. Yeah. That's a good. That's a great."

Music and Bands Deserving Recognition

The hosts discuss bands they believe deserve inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, citing Agnostic Front and Bad Brains as top contenders due to their enduring influence and commitment to the hardcore scene:

Bo (92:47): "Agnostic Front, like no question about it. They're still rocking."

Colin (093:09): "Bad Brains will be in there before anybody."

Favorite Hardcore Records and Albums

Bo highlights Bad Brains' Rock for Light and Age of Quarrel as pivotal to his connection with hardcore, while Colin emphasizes Life of Agony’s River Runs Red for its emotional depth and relatability:

Bo (145:07): "Bad Brains, Rock for Light had production that I wanted, songs that I wanted, and a little bit of melody."

Colin (145:43): "Life of Agony, River Runs Red... the lyrical content of, like, oh, this is something I can actually relate to."

7. Addressing Music Trends and Maintaining Authenticity

Colin and Bo delve into the challenges of evolving within the hardcore genre without losing authenticity. They advocate for bands to remain true to their roots, focusing on community and genuine expression rather than succumbing to commercial pressures:

Colin (133:39): "I think hardcore with the sole purpose of melody with nothing hard about it is pointless music."

Bo (133:44): "Exactly. It's like Christian death metal. It can't be that."

8. Personal Hobbies and Interests

Beyond music, the hosts share their interests in gaming and movies. Colin discusses building a PC and his enthusiasm for Dead by Daylight and Diablo 4, while Bo touches on his appreciation for ambient music during workouts and his love for horror films like Nosferatu:

Colin (06:40): "Major development, Colin has finally joined the PC world."

Bo (130:02): "I pretty much exceptionally list or exclusively, rather, listen to the Moody Playlist on Spotify."

9. Legacy and Community Growth

Concluding the episode, Colin and Bo reflect on the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive community within the hardcore scene. They emphasize the role their podcast plays in connecting fans and promoting the genre's growth:

Bo (99:56): "Boost the community and get people into the music, into different bands, which is part of the community."

Colin (99:56): "We want it to grow in the right way and put people on to the things we love. And that's it."

Conclusion

"Hardcore on TV? (December Q&A Special)" serves as a comprehensive look into Colin and Bo's experiences over the past year, highlighting significant milestones like Dead Body's AEW performance and their ongoing efforts to strengthen the hardcore community. Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful responses to listener questions, the hosts provide an intimate and engaging narrative that underscores the enduring spirit of hardcore music. As they look ahead to future projects and community initiatives, Colin and Bo reaffirm their commitment to preserving the authenticity and camaraderie that define the HardLore experience.