A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician is set to release his first album with a new band.
Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is the leader of Close Enemies, which will release its full-length debut album in March 2026. The all-star group features drummer Tony Brock (The Babys), guitarist Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow), guitarist Trace Foster (AC/DC's tech guru) and singer Chasen Hampton ("The All-New Mickey Mouse Club").
Close Enemies made its live concert debut in October and has released five singles to date, including "Sweet Baby Jesus" and "More Than I Could Ever Need." A limited number of early production CDs of their album will also be available to fans who purchase VIP tickets for Close Enemies' upcoming tour dates in California and Florida, according to Blabbermouth.
The band formed in 2023 after Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler injured his larynx three shows into a planned farewell tour. The Grammy-winning group ended up retiring from performing when the 77-year-old singer's voice was not expected to make a full recovery.
"I was a little bit nervous, you know. But that feeling, it energizes you. It doesn't hold you back. It makes you want to dive in deeper and deeper," Hamilton told Ultimate Classic Rock of performing with Close Enemies for the first time.
Blabbermouth described the five musicians as close friends, despite their name, that started working on music together in 2023. Hamilton called Hampton "a gifted singer... who really made the songs come to life."
"When I joined, these guys had worked up a bunch of great songs, and I was able to contribute something I had," he bassist told AARP. "Hopefully, when the time comes, we'll work up some others I've had in my pocket for a while. All of these guys are great musicians, and it's an honor and a challenge to be part of it all. I'm looking forward to seeing how people like it. I think they'll be pleasantly amazed."
In addition to original songs, Close Enemies performs selections from the catalogs of Aerosmith and The Babys.
Aerosmith was one of the biggest bands on the planet for decades, thanks to hits like "Dream On," "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing," "Sweet Emotion," "Crazy," "Janie's Got a Gun," "Livin' on the Edge" and the Run-DMC collaboration "Walk This Way." Hamilton co-founded the group in 1970 with a lineup that included Tyler, Joe Perry, Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford.
Brock's band The Babys similarly rose to fame in the '70s and '80s with hits like "Isn't It Time" and "Every Time I Think of You." Past members include Jonathan Cain of Journey, Ricky Phillips of Styx, and John Waite.