Fans of Aerosmith now have something new to explore, as longtime bassist Tom Hamilton introduces the debut full-length album from his latest musical project, Close Enemies. The record officially arrives on March 13, marking the band’s first major release after months of gradually sharing singles with listeners.
The album brings together a lineup of seasoned musicians. Alongside Hamilton on bass, the band features guitarists Trace Foster and Peter Stroud, drummer Tony Brock, and vocalist Chasen Hampton. Each member brings decades of experience from major touring acts and recording sessions, giving the project a strong musical foundation.
How the Album Came Together
According to Hamilton, the recording sessions came together in a surprisingly natural way. Much of the early material began with a casual jam session in Stroud’s basement studio.
Hamilton explained that he initially brought in a rough demo he had been working on. Once the band started playing together, the rest of the arrangement quickly took shape.
Hamilton recalled that the group “immediately started adding their own parts,” turning the rough idea into a complete song by the end of the day.
The relaxed creative environment allowed the band to develop songs organically rather than feeling pressure to meet commercial expectations.
A Band Built on Experience
The members of Close Enemies have long histories in rock and pop music.
- Tony Brock previously played with The Babys and toured with Rod Stewart.
- Peter Stroud is widely known for his work with Sheryl Crow and collaborations with artists like Sarah McLachlan and Don Henley.
- Trace Foster has toured with acts connected to Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, and AC/DC.
- Chasen Hampton provides the band’s dynamic vocals, bringing a flexible style that helps shape the album’s sound.
Together, the group combines classic rock influences with modern songwriting ideas across the album’s 10 tracks.
Singles and Songwriting Approach
Before the album’s full release, the band gradually introduced listeners to their music by releasing several individual songs. One of the most recent singles is “Take a Pill.”
Guitarist Peter Stroud explained that the song reflects themes many people can relate to as they get older.
He noted that the track touches on how people sometimes look for ways to escape stress or difficult feelings, but the message is delivered with a bit of humor.
Another important track for the group was “Rain.” According to Stroud, hearing the early demo convinced him that the band’s collaborative songwriting approach was working perfectly.
He said the group’s rule was simple: no idea gets dismissed. Instead, everyone contributes to shaping the songs together.
Starting From Scratch
Despite Hamilton’s decades of fame with Aerosmith, the band has chosen to approach this project as if they were just beginning their careers.
Hamilton described the experience as similar to the early days of Aerosmith, when the band was traveling in vans and building its reputation one show at a time.
He said the project feels like “going back to the beginning,” something he finds exciting after years in one of rock’s biggest bands.
Without the expectations that come with a legendary band, Close Enemies has been able to focus purely on the joy of creating music.
Bringing the Songs to the Stage
The group has already been performing live for more than a year. Their first concert took place in Nashville, where Hamilton admitted he felt a few nerves before going on stage.
However, he said that nervous energy actually helped fuel the performance and made him want to dive deeper into the new project.
During concerts, the band mixes songs from the new album with occasional nods to Hamilton’s past work with Aerosmith. Deeper cuts such as “Seasons of Wither” and “Sick as a Dog” sometimes appear in their setlists, along with the classic “Sweet Emotion,” a song Hamilton co-wrote for Aerosmith.
A New Chapter for Tom Hamilton
For Hamilton, Close Enemies represents both a fresh start and a continuation of what he loves most about music.
Reflecting on writing “Sweet Emotion” decades ago, he noted that crafting memorable musical moments—like the song’s famous bass riff—is still what inspires him today.
That same passion is now driving the new album and the band’s ongoing live performances.
The debut album from Close Enemies arrives on March 13, giving rock fans their first full chance to hear the band’s music from start to finish.
