They say when one door closes, another one opens. But when Aerosmith announced their retirement from being a touring band, it was hard to see any chance of a silver lining. But just a few weeks after that announcement, there was some news that caught my attention. Word came out that Aerosmith’s own Tom Hamilton was going to be playing with a new band called Close Enemies.
At first, it was just some clips on social media. It was not clear what this band was going to be. Perhaps it was just a small project to keep Tom busy after the canceled dates of the Aerosmith farewell tour. Whatever it was, I was interested, to say the least. But to my delight, it did not take very long for the opportunity to learn more about Close Enemies. The band announced they were going to be playing their first-ever show at Eastside Bowl in Nashville, TN on October 11, 2024. As soon as I read about the show, I went online and bought my ticket. There was no way that I was missing this show!
When the day of the show came I made the 4½ hour trek south to Music City to get my place right next to the stage. The venue was small compared to the arenas that were on the itinerary for the Aerosmith Farewell shows, but it was awesome nonetheless. I knew that I was getting to see something very special on this night, just by seeing the legendary Tom Hamilton in such an intimate setting. I got my spot up against the stage and waited for my introduction to Close Enemies.
It was such a great environment hanging out before the band took the stage. There were people from all over the country, and world, who made the trip just as I had done. We talked Aerosmith and shared our experiences with the Bad Boys from Boston. It was like being in a room full of old friends. And then, before I knew it, it was time for the Close Enemies to make their live debut. There were no video montages. No curtains or pillars of smoke. Just 5 guys walking on the stage ready to start their journey.
From the very first song, it was clear this band was the real deal. They went on to play a set of 10 to 12 songs of pure rock n’ roll goodness made of original material. It did not matter that we had not heard the songs before, the reaction from the packed crowd was filled with overwhelming approval for what they were hearing. When the last tune was played, the band announced they had pretty much played the album they would be releasing in the near future. After sharing their original stuff, the band treated the crowd to some more tunes, including a couple of Aerosmith classics including “Sick As A Dog” and “Sweet Emotion.” Watching Tom play that bass line so close up was something I will never forget.
So, in case you are wondering about Close Enemies, let me share my takeaways with you. The band is a real band that makes some great rock n’ roll music. It was clear from all of the smiles coming from the member’s faces that they were enjoying playing together just as much as the crowd was digging hearing it. And one more thing I want to stress, Close Enemies is not about one guy. While it is such a treat to see Tom Hamilton playing in the band, the talent runs deep through the entire lineup. In fact, let’s meet the members of Close Enemies…
Chasen Hampton (vocals) – Chasen has pretty much been singing since he came out of the womb. He got his big break starring in Disney’s All-New Mickey Mouse Club, he went on to work with some of the biggest names in the music and film worlds and released his own music as a solo artist as well. Hampton showed great range and poise during his first show with Close Enemies. He was the perfect mix of talent and frontman. He is the perfect guy to be at the helm of this exciting new band.
Peter Stroud (guitars) – Stroud is no stranger to the rock n’ roll world. He has served as lead guitar player and band leader for Sheryl Crow since the late nineties. In addition to his work with Crow, he has also been recruited by such legendary artists as Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, and Sara McLachlan. He also played with Pete Droge, which I thought was extra cool. While I have probably seen Stroud play over the years with Droge and Sheryl Crow, he caught my attention with Close Enemies. He is everything you could possibly want in a rock n’ roll guitar player.
Trace Foster (guitars) – When it comes to the guitar, Trace Foster knows his way around the instrument. Traxe has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old. He made the round in L.A. in the 80’s. That is where his story took an unexpected turn. He found himself working in a studio where he learned a whole new set of skills. His newly acquired skills found him being hired by such legendary artists such as Melissa Ethridge, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and even Aerosmith as a guitar tech. While I am sure he made one of the best techs in the business, Trace proved that he is also one of the best players around during the Close Enemies debut set.
Tony Brock (drums) – Driving the beat behind the drums for Close Enemies is none other than the one and only Tony Brock. Hailing from the U.K., Brock gained notoriety from the band, The Babys. His work with The Baby’s caught the attention of some amazing artists who just had to work with the talented drummer. His resume includes work with Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Roy Orbison. A band is only as good as their heart and soul located behind the kit, and I am happy to report that Close Enemies has the perfect guy.
Tom Hamilton (bass) – What can I say about Mr. Sweet Emotion himself? Of course, he is a founding member of one of the greatest rock n’ roll bands ever with Aerosmith. He is also a member of the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. But he is also one of the nicest guys in rock n’ roll. It was so awesome to see him doing his own thing with a new band and to see him looking so happy while doing it!
So, friends, you have now been put on notice that Close Enemies is a great new rock n’ roll band that you need to put on your radar. The band is putting the final touches on their debut record, and it should be released in the first half of 2025. The band is also starting to announce some concert dates as well. My guess would be that you will be seeing many more dates announced in the new year. I for one cannot wait for my next chance to see Close Enemies live on stage.
