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.
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Edited by Steven Grise (@iamoneonenineseven) • Title sequence by Nicholas Marzluf (@marzluf)
HardLore: A Knotfest Series
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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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