Craig Ahead: Straight Ahead Reunion, Sick of it All Hiatus, Quitting Youth of Today, Agnostic Front

We're joined by one of the most iconic bass players in the history of hardcore music, Craig Setari AKA Craig Ahead of Straight Ahead and Sick of it All, and formerly of Youth of Today, Agnostic Front, Rest in Pieces and more.

We talked in depth about the short history, but long legacy of Straight Ahead, including their upcoming reunion on April 25th, 2026, why he chose to quit Youth of Today, joining Agnostic Front for "One Voice," and ultimately his career defining role for over 30 years in SICK OF IT ALL.

This is our first ever single full three hour sit down with a guest, and it’s for damn good reason. There are only so many pioneers of this genre, and Craig is one of the greatest to ever do it. Enjoy.
______________________

Edited by Steven Grise (@iamoneonenineseven) • Title sequence by Nicholas Marzluf (@marzluf)

HardLore: A Knotfest Series

Join the HARDLORE PATREON to watch every single weekly episode early and ad-free, alongside exclusive monthly episodes: https://patreon.com/hardlorepod

Join the HARDLORE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/jA9rppggef

__________________

Cool links:

• HardLore Official Website/HardLore Records store: https://hardlorepod.com

• Get 15% off MILLS VINTAGE site-wide with code HARDLORE: https://www.millsvintageusa.com/

• Get 15% off TIMELESS COFEE site-wide, including coffee subscriptions, cookies and cakes with code HARDLORE:  https://timelesscoffee.com/

_____________________

FOLLOW HARDLORE:

INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/hardlorepod/

TWITTER | https://twitter.com/hardlorepod

SPOTIFY | https://spoti.fi/3J1GIrp

APPLE | https://apple.co/3IKBss2

FOLLOW COLIN:

INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/colinyovng/

TWITTER | https://www.twitter.com/ColinYovng

FOLLOW BO:

INSTAGRAM | https://www.instagram.com/bosxe/

TWITTER | https://www.twitter.com/bosxe

#HARDLORE #HARDCORE

_____________

00:00:00 - Start

00:02:39 - Young Craig Setari, Growing Up in Queens

00:06:08 - Dan Lilker & Discovering Bass Guitar

00:11:00 - Meeting Tommy Carroll

00:12:09 - NYC Mayhem, The First Blast Beat

00:22:26 - Straight Ahead (is back)

00:29:06 - Straight Ahead Discography

00:35:17 - Youth of Today, Playing on "Break Down The Walls"

00:49:58 - Quitting Youth of Today

00:53:41 - Recording "Breakaway"

01:03:47 - Craig & Armand 40 Years Later, Looking Back at Straight Ahead

01:08:52 - Daniel Rakowitz

01:11:04 - Lower East Side

01:18:48 - Straight Ahead Reunion in 1988, Pete's Sake Benefit Show

01:22:34 - Joining Agnostic Front, Going in With Sneakers & Leaving With Boots

01:34:27 - Pardon This Interruption...

01:38:26 - "One Voice" & Matt Henderson

01:46:18 - BJ Papas

01:50:16 - Helping Sick of it All with "Blood, Sweat & No Tears"

01:56:50 - Officially Joining Sick of it All

02:01:48 - The Double Bass Strap

02:06:02 - Scratch The Surface

02:08:47 - Step Down Music Video

02:16:46 - Europe Becoming the Hardcore Hub

02:18:17 - Built To Last

02:24:45 - MAFIA

02:27:02 - Touring in 95-99

02:27:57 - Call To Arms

02:37:38 - Mobb Deep Using The Dragon

02:40:21 - Big Foot

02:46:36 - What's Changed for Sick of it All?

02:55:59 - Modern Bands Carrying The Torch

02:57:52 - Stand Out CBGB's Moment

03:00:10 - Fast Food

03:02:38 - Top 4 HC records

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.