Straight Ahead were a short lived NYHC band that featured Tommy Carroll on vocals, Craig Setari on bass, Rob Echeverria on guitar and Armand Majidi on drums. They got their start in 1986, released a handful of songs and played a small amount of shows during their short-lived run which ended in 1988. There has always been nostalgia surrounding the hardcore bands that came out of NYC during the late 80’s and Straight Ahead are no exception. As the years moved further and further away from the 1980’s many of these bands would reform for reunion shows and in some cases release new music or re-release their old catalogs but a Straight Ahead reunion never came to be, and their catalog of songs is not something you can just download on Bandcamp or stream on Spotify. As you are about to read here though Straight Ahead are back for at least two shows this coming April in Brooklyn, NY. Bassist Craig Setari gives us the lowdown on the who’s, where’s and why’s in this interview I never thought I would be running in 2026. Graphics by: Welly Artcore. Thanks to Tribal Publishing and Chris Bunkley for assistance in putting this together.
IE: Hey Craig, after years of a Straight Ahead reunion being prayed for by many within the hardcore scene, it has finally come to be this coming April. In 2023, we asked you the likelihood of a Straight Ahead reunion and at that time you put it at a 5% chance of it happening… What were the circumstances surrounding this whole situation? Who were the people who pushed for this to happen the most?
Craig: Up until very recently the likelihood of a Straight Ahead reunion was very slim, because Armand and I were extremely busy with Sick of it All. With Lou’s unfortunate situation we now have time to consider a Straight Ahead reunion, and it is happening. Many people have asked me about a Straight Ahead reunion over the years. In this instance, Civ from Gorilla Biscuits was instrumental in this, as well as John Scanlon, his agent. It made sense the way they presented it and the ideas they had. And after a conversation and a rehearsal, it is has come to be.
IE: Straight Ahead had a very short run from ’87 to ’88. About how many shows did Straight Ahead play and how many actual Straight Ahead songs were recorded and released?
Craig: Straight Ahead played from ’86 to ’87, and then did a reunion in ’88, so we were basically around from let’s say ’86 to ’88. To be clear, I don’t know exactly how many shows Straight Ahead played, I’m assuming we played somewhere between 12 and 25 shows. We’ve recorded and released 12 songs, some of them were duplicates, so it was more than 12 songs, but 12 different songs besides the duplicates. We have a lot more songs than that, but people would only know them from live shows. Some of them were on some later Mayhem material, so there are a few of those as well that were adopted for Straight Ahead early on.
IE: In 1987 Duane from the NYC record store Some Records put the Straight Ahead “Breakaway” EP out on 12″ vinyl under a label called I Risk which I believe was their lone release. Was this release something that was Duane’s idea or a combo of the band and Duane?
Craig: The Straight Ahead, “Breakaway” EP released in ’87 was an effort between the band and Duane at Some Records. Back then everything was DIY. Duane was a big part of the scene, getting everybody’s music out, so it was natural that we did it with him. The only other release for Straight ahead was the “End The Warzone” compilation 7″. We put nine songs on that. That came out in ’86. So that is what we have released. It was always a very under-the-radar band as far as recorded material. We were more of a live band with a sort of mysterious legacy. We are excited to perform in April.
IE: Do you still have any old Straight Ahead shirts, records or any kind of memorabilia?
Craig: Yes, I have a ton of Straight Ahead stuff, unopened “Breakaway” EP’s, some “End The Warzone” 7″s and shirts and flyers.
IE: Out of the shows Straight Ahead did play, what were some that still stand out in your memories and what about them made them memorable?
Craig: Every show was a bit of an event. We were excited for each one, really giving 100% live. I’ll say the Guillotine benefit that happened in 1986 was pretty memorable. There were a lot of bands playing and there was a riot right after the show with the people from the shelter above (CBGB’s). So, it was memorable because it was a wild situation even though it’s never good when violence occurs. Another memorable show was the ’88 CB’s reunion benefit when we got up and played. There are videos of that all over the place. That was a really warm reaction, so that one is memorable as well. Also, playing with The Mob at CBGB’s was a great one because The Mob are a legendary first-generation, pioneering hardcore band from New York. Rest in peace Jack Flanagan.
CLICK BELOW TO HEAR SICK OF IT ALL’S COVER OF “STRAIGHT AHEAD” 
IE: It looks like you guys have already gotten together for a rehearsal prior to the announcement of the April shows. Where and when did that happen and how did it feel getting the OG crew back together in a room to bang out those tracks?
Craig: We recently rehearsed in my basement. It sounded really good. Tommy was very strong and able to sing the entire set multiple times without his voice giving out. He’s taking this very seriously and has been conditioning himself for it for many months. I think we are going to be the best we can possibly be for this. Of course, it’s great to get together with my old friends and bang out music we love. We had a lot of laughs, and it was a blast. Can’t wait to get up there and play.
IE: As a professional musician how many practices would you like the entire band to have together where you feel comfortable walking up on stage for those April shows?
Craig: We want to have a lot of rehearsals. We want this to come second nature, especially to Tommy, who has not performed in many years. This has to be second nature, we can’t be thinking about it. We just have to be in the moment and let it fly. That is how Straight Ahead was, and that’s how we will recapture the energy of this band, being care-free and just letting it happen naturally, with as much energy and enthusiasm as possible.
IE: Straight Ahead happened at a time where Sick Of It All and Rest In Pieces were also starting to take off. Yourself, Armand and Rob all were in one of those two bands around that time period as well. If other opportunities didn’t come along with SOIA and Rest In Pieces how do you think things would have shaken out for Straight Ahead?
Craig: I can’t speak on “what if’s” regarding Straight Ahead, because things happened the way they did for a reason. Armand’s and my career with Sick of it All took off because it was just meant to be. I think Straight Ahead being so intense and short-lived made for it being so memorable. It was a wonderful time and experience.
IE: What have yourself, Armand and Rob been up to musically in the past couple of years? Obviously you have taken some gigs with Lou Koller’s unfortunate illness… what have they been… and what about Armand and Rob?
Craig: Armand and I have obviously played in Sick Of It All for a really long time. Rob played in Biohazard and Helmet. I play gigs whenever I can. I am a professional bassist for hire. Most recently I’ve played with Judge, Marky Ramone, and The Take to name a few. I’ve also been a part of different projects.
IE: Are there any plans to get the Straight Ahead catalog up on streaming services?
Craig: Straight Ahead will release material on vinyl. Streaming may occur, but not until the vinyl is released.
IE: Sick Of It All put out the “Non-Stop” album maybe 14 or 15 years back with updated versions of OG tracks, giving them better production as well as musicianship. Do you think something like that could be a possibility with Straight Ahead?
Craig: I don’t see a need for Straight Ahead to re-record material. The material we recorded back then is explosive and captured the energy, time and place. As far as new material, I cannot say. This reunion just came to be very recently, and everything is happening so fast. Right now, we are completely focused on the two shows in New York. We want to really make this the best it can be, so we are focused on that and that alone for the time being.
IE: How often do you keep in touch with Lou and how are his spirits as he continues his fight with cancer?
Craig: Lou has esophageal cancer. I speak to Lou regularly. The band stays in touch via group text almost daily. Lou (and the band) are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone.
IE: In a previous interview we did with you, you had what you believed to be an opossum trapped in your basement WHILE we were interviewing you on the phone. What ever became of that situation?
Craig: Haha, great question. I can’t believe you remember that! Turns out it was a squirrel trapped in my basement. I was able to get some claw prints and hair from it. Eventually it got stuck, but found its way out and was obviously scared, and never came back. It was quite a battle back and forth and I’m glad the thing made it out unscathed, and I did not have to harm it even though it badly harmed my basement!
