Rock and Roll Hall of Famer set to debut first album with new band
A renowned musician from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is preparing to launch his inaugural album with a fresh band. Tom Hamilton, best known as the bassist for Aerosmith, is at the helm of Close Enemies, a group comprised of seasoned musicians set to release their full-length debut record in March of 2026. The band includes drummer Tony Brock of The Babys, guitarists Peter Stroud from Sheryl Crow’s band, Trace Foster (known as AC/DC’s tech expert), and vocalist Chasen Hampton, known for his time on “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.”
Close Enemies made its live debut at a concert in October and has been steadily releasing singles leading up to its album release, such as “Sweet Baby Jesus” and “More Than I Could Ever Need.” Enthusiasts can obtain early production CDs of the album through the purchase of VIP tickets for Close Enemies’ upcoming tour dates in California and Florida, as reported by Blabbermouth.
The band’s inception can be traced back to 2023 when Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler suffered a serious vocal cord injury just three shows into what was supposed to be a farewell tour. Ultimately, due to concerns regarding the 77-year-old singer’s voice not fully recovering, the Grammy-winning group decided to retire from performing.
Reflecting on his initial performance with Close Enemies, Hamilton shared his mix of nerves and excitement, expressing how the jitters served to fuel his passion rather than hinder it. Describing the collective bond among the five musicians as close-knit, despite the band’s name, it is evident that their synergy has developed over time since they began creating music together in 2023. Hamilton praised Hampton as a remarkable singer who breathed life into the band’s repertoire of songs.
Adding his own touch to the existing music, Hamilton expressed his eagerness to introduce additional material to the group’s collective portfolio, hoping to surprise and captivate audiences with their unique sound. Beyond their original compositions, Close Enemies also pays homage to the music of Aerosmith and The Babys in their live performances.
Aerosmith, with hits such as “Dream On,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and “Walk This Way,” epitomized rock stardom for several generations since its formation in 1970, featuring a lineup that included Tyler, Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, and Brad Whitford. Similarly, The Babys, fronted by Tony Brock, achieved success in the ‘70s and ‘80s with chart-toppers like “Isn’t It Time” and “Every Time I Think of You,” with past members like Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips.
As Close Enemies gears up for their album release and subsequent tour, fans of rock music can anticipate a fresh sound and a blend of classic rock nostalgia injected with a modern twist, promising a thrilling experience for music aficionados eager to witness the evolution of a rock legend in Tom Hamilton’s latest venture.