Legendary AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton is embarking on a new musical journey with his band CLOSE ENEMIES, set to release their debut single in January through TLG/Virgin Music Group.
The newly formed group made their live debut on October 11 at Nashville's Eastside Bowl, marking Hamilton's first post-AEROSMITH performance. "I was a little bit nervous, but that feeling energizes you. It doesn't hold you back. It makes you want to dive in deeper and deeper," Hamilton shared about the inaugural show.
CLOSE ENEMIES features an impressive lineup of seasoned musicians, including guitarists Trace Foster and Peter Stroud, drummer Tony Brock, and vocalist Chasen Hampton. The band has also collaborated with accomplished lyricist Gary Stier.
Following their successful debut, CLOSE ENEMIES has announced an eight-city tour for January 2025, starting in Philadelphia on January 8. The tour will take them through major cities including New York, Boston, Nashville, and Chicago.
At 72, Hamilton appears excited about returning to his roots with this new venture. "This is like going back to the beginning. We don't have any previous albums. We're going to be riding around in vans and flying commercial, just like when AEROSMITH started — and I'm looking forward to that. There's a certain camaraderie with that," he explained.
Hamilton praised Hampton's vocal abilities in a recent AARP interview, describing him as "a gifted singer who really made the songs come to life." The bassist also expressed enthusiasm about contributing his own material to the band's repertoire, hinting at future collaborations with his new bandmates.
The formation of CLOSE ENEMIES follows AEROSMITH's abbreviated farewell tour, which was cut short due to Steven Tyler's vocal cord injury in 2023. While AEROSMITH's touring future remains uncertain, Hamilton has found a new creative outlet to continue his musical journey.