Throughout an impressive career spanning over 50 years, bassist Tom Hamilton has played an integral role in performing many of Aerosmith’s iconic hits as well as numerous lesser-known gems. Despite this extensive repertoire, there has always been one particular track he wished to see return to the concert setlist, and now, he finally has that opportunity with his new band, Close Enemies.

In a recent interview with UCR, Hamilton expressed his excitement about incorporating some Aerosmith songs into their performances. “I knew that we’d be playing a couple of Aerosmith songs,” he shared. “Ethically, I wanted it to be songs I co-wrote. We aren’t just going to perform classics like ‘Walk This Way’ or ‘Dream On.’ However, ‘Sick as a Dog’ is a song I’ve been eager to play live again for so long. It was challenging to convince the guys in Aerosmith to include it, but now, this is my chance to bring it back to the stage!”

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‘Sick as a Dog,’ co-written by Hamilton for the 1976 album Rocks, holds a special place in his heart. “It’s a straightforward track that feels incredibly liberating. It rocks hard with an arpeggiated guitar segment that has this delightful jingly, jangly vibe that I adore,” he elaborated, showcasing his passion for the song.

Hamilton also reminisced about his admiration for The Byrds, particularly their classic ‘Mr. Tambourine Man,’ a major hit from the ’60s that deeply influenced his musical taste. “That song left a lasting impression on me, especially its guitar sounds paired with a hard rock rhythm, which I have always found captivating,” he noted, illustrating how those sounds shaped his musical journey.

In addition, Hamilton feels a similar connection to “Sweet Emotion,” another notable song he co-wrote from the 1975 album Toys in the Attic. This track remains one of Hamilton’s standout performances with Aerosmith, featuring an iconic, slinky bass line that continues to captivate audiences whenever it plays on the radio.

“I knew how incredible it felt to perform and listen to it,” Hamilton reflected. “At the time, I was too young and inexperienced to gauge whether it would be a hit. All I knew was that playing it felt fantastic.” His dedication to the song led him to refine its structure, creating engaging transitions that enhance its energy and appeal.

He described how he meticulously crafted the sections between the verses, where the music intensifies before returning to the verse. “Then it circles back to the intro with that captivating bass riff. Those elements are crucial to what I love about Aerosmith’s music and now in Close Enemies,” he concluded, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining that signature sound.

Exciting News: Close Enemies Set to Launch New Music Soon

Fans of Close Enemies can look forward to the release of their debut single in January, coinciding with their first official tour. Guitarist Trace Foster shared with UCR that TLG / Virgin Music Group will oversee the distribution, and they have already devised a comprehensive strategy for rolling out additional tracks.

“Unlike the traditional music release methods from the ’70s and beyond, where entire albums were unveiled at once, we’ll debut our first single on January 16,” Foster explained. “Following that, we plan to release more songs in February and March, and we may either drop a fourth single or unveil the complete album at that point.”

Foster emphasized their awareness of the fast-paced nature of today’s music industry. “We want to ensure our music doesn’t just fade away. We plan to launch a song, promote it vigorously, and then repeat the process. We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this project, and we genuinely hope listeners will connect with and enjoy our music,” he added, underlining their dedication to their craft.

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