Aerosmith Bassist Tom Hamilton, Releases New Single with New Band

CLOSE ENEMIES, a remarkable musical collaboration, has emerged on the scene with their new single “Rain,” featuring the legendary Aerosmith bassist, Tom Hamilton. Alongside Hamilton, the band comprises notable figures such as Tony Brock from The Babys, Peter Stroud of Sheryl Crow's band, Trace Foster, known for his association with AC/DC's tech realm, and Chasen Hampton. Distributed by Virgin Music Group, “Rain” is already making waves, urging listeners to “rise above adversity and spark change.” The track is a stirring call to action, encouraging audiences to be bold, think big, and dream even bigger. Capturing the essence of the song, the accompanying lyric visualizer directed by Tom Flynn resonates with both the message and the vibrant personalities of CLOSE ENEMIES.

April witnessed the release of their third single, “Sweet Baby Jesus,” which followed “Inside Out” launched in February. Each release has built upon the enthusiastic reception of their debut single, “Sound of A Train,” which received significant praise from both fans and critics. The formation of CLOSE ENEMIES is an inspiring tale itself, born out of creative lulls and spontaneous connections during a hiatus in an Aerosmith tour. Peter Stroud elaborates on these serendipitous beginnings, detailing how Trace Foster and Tom Hamilton's conversations spurred the idea that would eventually welcome Brock and Stroud into the fold. Foster and Stroud were already working to elevate their music careers, venturing beyond their existing projects, and CLOSE ENEMIES offered the perfect avenue.

This band is not just another supergroup. It symbolizes resilience and the power of collaboration across music's challenging landscape. As Foster recalls, the need to “up the game” was evident, leading to intricate collaborations with Stroud, Hamilton, and other talents across geographical boundaries and personal histories. The initial recording sessions in Boston marked a pivotal point where chemistry between Hamilton and Brock was established, setting the stage for what Stroud and Foster believe are their most promising endeavors.

Making their live debut in October 2024 at Eastside Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee, CLOSE ENEMIES were met with a wave of expectation and excitement. Hamilton himself felt the nerves of taking the stage with this fresh ensemble but described the energy as invigorating, pushing them to dive deeper into their collective and individual musicianship. His description of Chasen Hampton as a “gifted singer” who brings the group's songs to life exemplifies the mutual respect and admiration among the band members.

The road that brought Hamilton to this new phase was partly paved by Aerosmith's decision to retire from touring, following an unfortunate series of events. Lead singer Steven Tyler's throat injury in September 2023 forced the iconic band to conclude their “Peace Out” tour prematurely. This unexpected halt led to the indefinite pause of Aerosmith's touring legacy, opening a door for Hamilton to invest his time and creativity into CLOSE ENEMIES. The transition from Aerosmith's familiar grounds offers Hamilton and his bandmates a vibrant new chapter in their distinguished careers.