Aerosmith Bassist Tom Hamilton’s Band ‘Close Enemies’ Drops Music Video for New Single “More Than I Could Ever Need”
via Close Enemies / YouTube
A New Chapter for Tom Hamilton
AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton has teamed up with a powerhouse lineup to form CLOSE ENEMIES, an all-star rock group featuring Tony Brock of THE BABYS, Peter Stroud from Sheryl Crow’s band, AC/DC tech veteran Trace Foster, and singer Chasen Hampton. The band has just released the official music video for its new single, “More Than I Could Ever Need,” through TLG|ROCK and distributed by Virgin Music Group.
The song, a heartfelt rock ballad, was written by Hamilton as a tribute to his wife of nearly 50 years. It reflects deep affection, long-term commitment, and the endurance of love over time. Directed by acclaimed visual artist Tom Flynn, the video captures the raw sincerity of the track in a simple yet powerful visual performance.
Inside the Making of the Video
Hamilton shared how the video came together in a spontaneous moment. “We spent a day shooting a video for an upcoming song from the album and finished with about an hour until we had to be out of the studio,” he explained. “We needed a lyric video for ‘More Than I Could Ever Need’ and asked the director, Tom Flynn, if we could do something. Fifteen minutes later he had the studio ready and we did a few takes. Two days later he sent the finished product and we were knocked out! He captured the atmosphere of the song and the look of the band so well we could hardly believe it.”
The bassist added that the experience was refreshingly easy. “We hope you like it too. We’re looking forward to working with him again especially since unlike most video shoots it was pain free!” he said. The clip, now streaming online, mirrors the warmth and sincerity of the song — an honest reflection of Hamilton’s personal story and the band’s chemistry.
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The Rise of Close Enemies
CLOSE ENEMIES recently announced an upcoming tour, “An Evening With Close Enemies – Live In Concert,” which promises fans an intimate performance highlighting their new material alongside familiar rock classics from AEROSMITH and THE BABYS. The group has already released a string of singles throughout 2024 — “Sound of a Train” in January, “Inside Out” in February, “Sweet Baby Jesus” in April, and “Rain” in June.
These releases have helped the band steadily gain recognition for their sharp musicianship and emotional songwriting. Their latest single now marks another major step forward as they prepare for a broader rollout of live shows and new recordings.
How the Band Came Together
The formation of CLOSE ENEMIES began more than two years ago. Guitarist Peter Stroud shared on the Is Breakfast Included? podcast that it all started when AEROSMITH went on a temporary hiatus. “It was sort of in layers,” he said. “Trace and I had already been working on another band project, trying to get something off the ground… apparently Tom and Trace had been speaking where Tom said, ‘Man, I got all these songs I would love to try to do something with.’”
Trace Foster then reached out to Stroud and proposed they help Hamilton develop his songs. “I just walked up and I said, ‘Hey…’ I didn’t ask him. I basically told Tom, I said, ‘Hey, we’re gonna come to Boston and work on your songs,’” Foster recalled. “And he was, like, ‘Well, let me think about that.’ And then like an hour later, he was, like, ‘I think that’s a really good idea.’”
Chemistry That Clicked Instantly
When Hamilton and drummer Tony Brock first played together, Stroud said, “It was pretty much a given.” He remembered that Hamilton immediately showed enthusiasm for the project. “Trace suggested to Tom, ‘Hey, why don’t we come up for a couple days, two or three days?,’ and he goes, ‘How about five?’” Stroud recalled with a laugh. “That’s a reflection of somebody who knows hard work right there.”
The musicians spent several days writing and recording, quickly realizing they shared a deep musical connection. Those early sessions laid the foundation for what would become CLOSE ENEMIES — a mix of classic rock roots and modern storytelling that resonated with all of them.
Taking the Stage and Looking Ahead
CLOSE ENEMIES made their live debut on October 11, 2024, at Eastside Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. Reflecting on that night, Hamilton told Ultimate Classic Rock, “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.”
In another interview with AARP, Hamilton praised lead singer Chasen Hampton, calling him “a gifted singer who really made the songs come to life.” He added, “When I joined, these guys had worked up a bunch of great songs, and I was able to contribute something I had. 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.”
A New Era Beyond Aerosmith
The timing of CLOSE ENEMIES’ rise follows a major shift in Hamilton’s longtime band. On August 2, 2024, AEROSMITH announced they were retiring from touring, nearly a year after Steven Tyler suffered a fractured larynx during a 2023 performance. The band’s Peace Out farewell tour had only completed three shows before the injury forced its postponement.
The tour was later rescheduled to begin in September 2024 with The Black Crowes as special guests, but for Hamilton, CLOSE ENEMIES has provided a creative outlet to continue making new music. With “More Than I Could Ever Need,” the bassist once again proves that his passion for rock and storytelling remains as strong as ever.
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