The heavy music community has shown overwhelming financial and emotional support following the tragic passing of Harm’s Way guitarist and “HardLore” podcast co-host Bo Lueders. A crowdfunding campaign launched on April 3 to help his family cover final expenses and an upcoming memorial service quickly shattered its initial expectations.
Organized by his close friend and “HardLore” co-host Colin Young, the fundraiser originally set a goal of $60,000. Within just a few hours, fans, friends, and peers from across the hardcore and metalcore scenes rallied together, raising a staggering $164,000. Stunned by the rapid outpouring of generosity, the campaign was officially closed to new donations later that same day.
With the intended memorial and end-of-life costs fully covered, the massive surplus of funds will now be directed toward a charitable cause. Organizers confirmed that a large portion of the remaining money will be donated to mental health services in the Chicago area, honoring the late musician’s hometown roots.
Addressing the massive community response, Colin Young released a heartfelt statement detailing the swift success of the campaign and the decision to redistribute the remaining funds:
“Thank you all so much for taking the time to read and to donate, it means the world to me and Bo‘s family/friends. I went for a walk immediately after creating this page, and by the time I looked at my phone again, you had all exceeded the goal tenfold.”
“With the donation goal automatically updating throughout that duration, I quickly rounded down the current amount to end the goal… and then you all just kept donating. We cannot thank you enough for this beautiful outpouring of love and support for our sweet Bo throughout these darkest of days.”
“We’ve decided to stop any future donations, and guarantee that a LARGE portion of what has been donated will be redistributed to various mental health services in the Chicagoland area. Thank you all.”
“- Colin“
The tragic news of Lueders‘ death was confirmed on April 2 via a joint statement posted to the official Instagram accounts of both the band and the podcast.
“It is with heavy, broken hearts that we share that our beloved Bo Lueders has passed away.”
“He will be remembered for his unwavering empathy and compassion for his friends & family and his magnetic, inimitable presence on & off the stage.”
“We kindly ask for grace and privacy as we navigate this extremely difficult time.”
“For those struggling with depression or urges to self harm, help is always available. We’re not in this alone. Su*cide and Crisis Lifeline: 988.”
Bo Lueders was a foundational pillar of the modern hardcore scene. In 2006, he co-founded Harm’s Way, a group that initially began as a side project before rapidly evolving into a full-time touring powerhouse. Over the years, he was instrumental in shaping the band’s sonic progression, moving them from a traditional hardcore sound into a devastatingly heavy, industrial-metal force. The group has released a formidable catalog of music, culminating most recently with their 2023 studio album, Common Suffering, released via Metal Blade Records.
A dedicated and relentless live performer, the guitarist spent the majority of 2025 on the road with Harm’s Way. The band executed highly successful runs serving as support for both Knocked Loose and Deafheaven on separate tours. Their most recent live appearance took place on February 7 in Los Angeles. The group was also scheduled to kick off a European tour on June 16 in Germany; however, the status of those upcoming dates understandably remains unclear at this time.
Beyond his formidable stage presence, Bo Lueders was a massive, charismatic personality within the broader alternative music culture. In 2022, he partnered with Twitching Tongues frontman Colin Young to launch “HardLore: Stories From Tour.” Initially created as a casual outlet for the two friends to swap road stories, the podcast quickly exploded in popularity. It evolved into a premier platform featuring long-form interviews with prominent musicians, professional wrestlers, and various scene personalities.
Recent “HardLore” episodes showcased conversations with heavy metal and hardcore icons like Freddy Cricien of Madball, Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, and Jeremy Bolm of Touché Amoré. Building on the massive success of the show, the duo further expanded their impact by launching their own imprint, HardLore Records, in 2024.
