Chicago hardcore guitarist Bo Lueders has died at the age of 38. His band, Harm’s Way, announced the guitarist's passing on social media, and have urged fans to seek help if they’re struggling with depression.
The news was shared in a joint post made by the band, Knotfest and the HardLore podcast, which Lueders co-hosted with Twitching Tongues vocalist Colin Young.
“It is with heavy, broken hearts that we share that our beloved Bo Lueders has passed away,” the statement reads. “He will be remembered for his unwavering empathy and compassion for his friends and family, and his magnetic, inimitable presence on and off the stage.
“We kindly ask for grace and privacy as we navigate this extremely difficult time.”
Young was, understandably, first in line to pen a tribute to his friend and co-host, who was beloved in the hardcore scene.
“I am writing this in hopes that it reaches you in some way cosmically,” he writes. “I will love, mourn, and celebrate you forever.
“This beautiful thing we built together was the greatest honor of my life, and my only solace is knowing that we documented a lifetime of memories, at first to share with the world, but now to look back on and preserve your warm, kind soul forever.
“Say hey to Cayle [Sain] and Cliff Burton for us, and feel free to stop by and haunt me any time.
“Every song is about you now. Let’s do it all again in the next life.”
Love has also been spread by Converge, Debbie Gough, Josh Middleton, and Callous Daoboys guitarist Maddie Caffrey as the guitar community reacts to the news.
The guitarist co-founded Harm’s Way in 2006, and would go on to release five studio albums, several of which were put out through Deathwish Inc., the label founded by Converge frontman Jacob Bannon. Their fifth album, Common Suffering, was released in September 2023.
He predominantly played Ibanez guitars, particularly its FR model, before switching to a Balaguer Belmont in his later years.
The official statement confirming his passing ends with a callout to fans who may find themselves in a similarly difficult position as Lueders.
“For those struggling with depression or urges to self-harm, help is always available,” it reads. “We’re not in this alone. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988.”
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