HardLore Podcast Episode Summary: The Summer 2025 Q&A Special

Release Date: June 19, 2025

1. Introduction

In this special Q&A episode of HardLore, hosts Colin Young and Bo Lueders come together for their first sit-down session in six weeks. They welcome a new subscriber and dive straight into engaging discussions about metal music, touring experiences, and listener questions.

2. Metallica Album Rankings

The episode kicks off with Colin initiating a debate on ranking Metallica's discography from worst to best.

• Colin posits, "I would say 72 seasons is maybe next worst." (00:07)
• Bo counters, "Thought you'd never ask. A new subscriber." (00:09)

They discuss their shared disdain for Lulu and 72 Seasons, with Bo expressing difficulty in enduring St. Anger, while Colin finds it enjoyable despite its brutality.

3. Recent Touring Experiences

Colin and Bo delve into their latest tours, highlighting performances with bands like Full of Hell, Cruelty, Jarhead, Fertilizer, and Click.

• Bo shares, "We did like 10 days of kind of one-offs and some of the Danny Wimmer Fest, which is like Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple." (02:13)
• They recount seeing Metallica perform, commenting on the setlist's odd mix of songs from different eras.

Favorite tour stops included Austin, Houston, Denton, Boston, Montreal, and Toronto, with Bo emphasizing Toronto as their first sold-out show.

4. Set Highlights and Memorable Performances

A significant portion of the discussion centers around their performances at the Tied Down festival.

• Colin praises Misfits' set, stating, "They did absolutely everything. Every micro tonal bing bong from their new songs is in there." (12:00)
• They also discuss a standout performance by Disgrace, highlighting a moment where Colin had to manage a crowd interaction during God's Hate's set.

5. Patreon and Subscriber Engagement

The hosts express gratitude towards their Patreon supporters, encouraging listeners to subscribe to support the show.

• Colin remarks, "Listen, it's $5 or more. Which you don’t need to do, but we're psyched that you are and you're directly supporting the show." (14:03)

Subscriber questions form a substantial part of the episode, allowing fans to engage directly with Colin and Bo.

6. Listener Q&A Highlights

Listeners submitted a wide range of questions covering topics from personal experiences to music opinions. Some notable discussions include:

• Dealing with Baldness:

  • Colin shares his experience, "I'm loving it. That first breeze. Cold." (15:00)

• Favorite Metallica Songs and Setlists:

  • Detailed debates on the hardest riffs and favorite tracks, with both hosts expressing admiration for classics like "Master of Puppets" and critiquing newer releases.

• Favorite Hardcore Bands:

  • Recommendations for obscure 80s and 90s hardcore bands, such as This World Rejected and Wide Awake.

• Memorable High School Memories:

  • Bo reminisces about his high school experiences immersed in the hardcore scene, while Colin shares his journey from a student with big aspirations to successful touring musician.

• Food and Travel Preferences:

  • Discussions range from the best and worst meals on tour to dream travel destinations like Egypt and South Korea.

• Gaming and Movies:

  • Conversations about favorite video games like Knights of the Old Republic and animated movies including Spirited Away and The Iron Giant.

• Musical Equipment and Gear:

  • Preferences for guitar picks and string gauges, with Bo favoring Ernie Ball Mammoth slinkys (65:17) and Colin opting for green Dunlop picks (65:39).

7. Touring Anecdotes and Challenges

The hosts share personal stories from the road, including dealing with illness during tours.

• Bo recounts battling norovirus and respiratory issues, impacting their tour schedule (01:19).

• They also discuss unexpected weather events, such as driving through a tornado cell near Chicago, highlighting their resilience and camaraderie on the road.

8. Merchandise and Collaborations

Colin and Bo promote their merchandise collaborations, particularly with Mad Vintage.

• Bo introduces Colin to an Earth Crisis Firestorm T-shirt from Mad Vintage, praising its quality and design (52:07).

• They offer a discount code HARDLORE15 for listeners to purchase merchandise, emphasizing the importance of supporting independent vendors.

9. Closing Remarks and Future Plans

As the episode wraps up, Colin and Bo reflect on the unpredictable nature of the internet and the longevity of their show.

• Colin advises listeners to enjoy the show while they can, acknowledging the possibility of abrupt endings: "One day, this show is going to end abruptly, unceremoniously, out of the blue." (90:48)

• They encourage continued support and interaction, hinting at upcoming guests and future episodes while maintaining their commitment to the HardLore community.

Notable Quotes

• Colin on Metallica’s "St. Anger": "I think it's fun. But that's just me as loco." (00:17)

• Bo on Patreon Support: "We're psyched that you are and you're directly supporting the show. It's beautiful." (14:16)

• Colin on Set List Challenges: "The biggest takeaway is, guy got up, tweeted that he was fine." (08:28)

• Bo on Tornado Experience: "James went to school to be a meteorologist for a while and decided not to do it." (59:03)

Conclusion

This Summer 2025 Q&A Special of HardLore offers an in-depth look into the lives of Colin Young and Bo Lueders, blending personal anecdotes with passionate discussions about hardcore and metal music. Through engaging listener interactions and heartfelt reflections on touring and musical experiences, the episode underscores the strong community and enduring spirit that define the HardLore podcast.

Note: Timestamps are based on the provided transcript and correspond to the moments when the quotes were made.