After The Storm
Baltimore hardcore band The S.E.T. arrived with some recognizable names and immediate attention, but the real story sits closer to the ground. Their roots are in the city’s hardcore scene — in the people, the history, and the kind of participation that gives a band real shape early on. Musically, they draw from Gut Instinct, Judge, Leeway, and Cro-Mags, and that lineage comes through without feeling overly referential.
In our conversation, bassist Che Figueroa describes a slow build: early songs taking shape, a year of jamming, and a turning point that came through Disturbin’ the Peace festival, along with the Baltimore hardcore community around them.Their love for hardcore, and for hometown legends Gut Instinct in particular, runs through the way they talk about the band. More than a band built on early buzz, The S.E.T. come across as a band shaped by community, tension, pride, and a lived understanding of hardcore culture.
What first brought you together as The S.E.T., and when did it start to feel like a real band?
I had been wanting to start a band for a while now, but never got around to doing it. In 2024, I had written a couple songs on guitar and I hit up my friend Ryan, who used to play drums for End It, to see if he was down to jam the songs I had written. After about a year of jamming we had 7 songs and no vocalist. I was really picky about who I wanted to sing, and it took a couple of months to find the right person. The right person came in the form of Tim. I am the promoter of an annual hardcore fest in Baltimore called Disturbin’ the Peace, and at the last 2025 DTP during Speed’s set, there was this kid who was dancing really hard, taking the mic to sing, stage diving, and just had a really aggressive aura that stood out to me. I was able to connect with him, and we introduced ourselves. I brought Tim to come try out for the vocal part, and we all agreed that this was the guy. Once we had the 7 songs written and added Tim’s vocals, that’s when it started to feel like a real band.
What surprised you most once you started writing together?
The only thing that really surprised me was that we were able to write 7 complete songs. When I started this, it was not really serious, it was more to have something to do and not be bored at the crib. The fact that we are at this moment where the record is dropping is a really cool feeling.
What inspired the name?
The band was inspired by two concepts. The first, an extension of Cro-Mags’ “Seekers of the Truth,” that we have finally found the truth we all have sought after. The second, that all men are created equal.
How does the Baltimore scene shape the way you operate as a band today?
The Baltimore Hardcore scene 100% shapes everything about this band. I personally have been going to hardcore shows in Baltimore for 24 years and I have been living here for 16 years. Baltimore has definitely shaped my worldview of the hardcore landscape. The way we operate within Baltimore is just being active in the community. I personally put on a yearly fest and try to put as many newer Baltimore bands on the fest to give them support. Everyone helps each other out in Baltimore, it is a tight-knit scene where everyone knows everyone.
Was there a shared influence—artist, scene, or moment—that helped inspire these new songs?
The main musical influences for the sound are Gut Instinct, Judge, and crossover stuff like Leeway and Alpha Omega era Cro-Mags. When you listen to the songs you’ll be able to hear those influences in there.
Is there a sound, riff, or texture the band is collectively obsessed with right now?
I am, and always have been, obsessed with anything Parris Mayhew does. He is personally my main influence when I write.
What’s something you’re proud of at this early stage of the band’s journey?
I’m really proud of the record. I’m sure there will be more things I’ll be proud of as time goes on, but just getting to the point where we have music that is being released is a big step. We are already writing more music and can’t wait to release that also.
Are there any non-music artists you'd like to collaborate with?
We were lucky enough to get Sebastian, the singer from Gut Instinct, to lay down vocals for our song “White Lies.” Gut Instinct is the very first hardcore band from Baltimore. They are revered as gods here, so the fact that they were down to co-sign our project and collaborate with us is beyond a dream come true. Anyone out there reading this, if you have not had a chance to listen to Gut Instinct you should go do that right now. As far as other collaborations, we’d love to collaborate with our peers here in Baltimore and probably people and bands we look up to from other cities.
What feels most surprising to you about where hardcore is right now?
The biggest surprise to me personally is how big it has gotten. I have been going to hardcore shows since 2001, and I have never seen it this big and teetering on crossing over to the mainstream. I remember if there were 100 kids at a show that was huge, now 100 kids at a show is just a regular night. Another thing I have noticed is that the boundary of what is musically considered hardcore has been expanding. There are a lot of bands now that are considered hardcore that might not have been considered hardcore in the past. I embrace all the changes. I think being stuck in the past or being jaded doesn’t promote progress and gives off hater vibes of people that couldn’t pivot to thrive in this new hardcore landscape.
Is there anything about hardcore that you feel protective of right now?
Hardcore is not just music, it is community and it is a culture. I don’t know if I would call it protective, but I definitely feel that if someone is going to take hardcore seriously they should for sure educate themselves on the history, the culture, and be active participants in their hardcore community. Those are the people I personally respect the most. People active in their communities, whether it is starting a band, starting a label, booking a show, starting a zine, supporting the shows in their area, etc. The people who are active need to be protected and respected.
What’s the biggest challenge for artists in 2026 and how are you navigating it?
Not sure what other artists are going through, I can only speak for our band. There haven’t been any real major hurdles so far for us. We are a brand new band, and at first, I thought that getting shows might have been a challenge at the start, but that hasn’t really been an issue. We are a brand new band so we are not expecting any sort of royal treatment. We just want to work hard and we know that opportunities will present themselves as time goes on.
Is there a lyric that best describes your state of mind right now?
“No one dies a virgin, life fucks us all” - N.O.R.E.
Lastly, what the fuck is happening in the world right now?
ICE roundups, war with Iran, kidnapped a world leader (Venezuela), etc. This administration is pretty crazy. I don’t consider myself a republican or democrat, I believe 90% of politicians are trash and look out for the interests of themselves and their donors before the interests of the people. I’m just focused on making money, being there for my family, hanging out with my close circle of friends, and hardcore. As long as those 4 things are secured in my life, then I know everything will be alright.
Thank you for your time!
Check out The S.E.T. on IG at @theselfevidenttruth and check out Flatspot for Vinyl & Merch
