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. ______________________ 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/ ____________________ 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

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