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CLOSE ENEMIES— » the red-hot band of music industry veterans with legendary careers (Aerosmith, The Babys, Sheryl Crow)—have today (March 13) released their self-titled debut album via TLG|ROCK / Virgin Music Group and unveiled the video for the unflinching song “Take A Pill.” Listen to the album HERE.

The band describes “Take A Pill” as “a modern rock gut check for a culture that would rather numb the pain than face it.” It follows the album’s five previously released tracks: “More Than I Could Ever Need,” “Rain,” “Sweet Baby Jesus,” “Inside Out,” and “Sound Of A Train.”

CLOSE ENEMIES serves as the roadmap for the second act, a group of artists creating music and now just playing for the sake of the song. The red-hot rock group is comprised of a group of five close friends, each with an illustrious musical career. Tom Hamilton—multiple Grammy winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member, and bassist of the biggest-selling American rock band of all time, Aerosmith—is joined by legendary drummer Tony Brock (The Babys and Rod Stewart), touring veterans guitarist Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow and Don Henley), guitarist, engineer and sound technician Trace Foster(Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, AC/DC), along with vocalist Chasen Hampton(who’s been singing professionally since the age of 11 and was a member of Hollywood Records band The Party). The band’s individual bios are HERE. Q&A’s with each are below:

TOM HAMILTON

Q: You all bring such different experiences and career paths to the group. Can you describe the band’s special chemistry and why it works?

Tom Hamiton (TH): I think we all had a yearning to put a band together with people who are easy to hang out with. We all have years of experience playing with an assortment of various personalities. I love everybody I’ve ever been in a band with. It’s been intense. There’s been a lot of excitement, good and bad. Everybody in Close Enemies has a great combination of musical expertise and personal expertise. We all know how to be good band members.

Q: If you were to pick only one song from the album that captures what makes the band special, which one would that be and why?

(TH): I have a hard time deciding between “Sound of a Train” and “Rain.” I’ve always been drawn to songs that deal with loneliness and yearning. I think both of those songs cover those with powerful, powerful guitars, bass drums and vocals.

Q: There’s always two sides to every band—what happens in the studio and what happens on stage. Now that you’ve played an array of shows and have more planned for later this year, can you tell us about why music fans should come and see Close Enemies?

(TH): I think anyone who loves rock music would like our songs. This band knows how to deliver the message that fans want to see and hear. We love playing live and I think people can see it when they come to our shows.

TONY BROCK

Q: You all bring such different experiences and career paths to the group. Can you describe the band’s special chemistry and why it works?

Tony Brock (TB): The magic we have when we get together is an indescribable feeling of creativity! Every one of us has had the pleasure of playing with the best musicians in the world, we have an undeniable chemistry that causes a respect for each other to try everyone’s ideas!

Q: If you were to pick only one song from the album that captures what makes the band special, which one would that be and why?

(TB):  I personally enjoy “Rain,” as it is the first song that I was able to be a part of in the arrangement/song writing and felt I contributed a little of what I like to bring to the table!

Q: There’s always two sides to every band—what happens in the studio and what happens on stage. Now that you’ve played an array of shows and have more planned for later this year, can you tell us about why music fans should come and see Close Enemies?

(TB): In the studio we are concentrating on the performance and making sure we are recording each other’s individual sounds that we must have! On stage we can stretch a little and put a comradery grin on our faces, which is a whole other level we go too! Watching the audience react to that moment is very special!

PETER STROUD

Q: You all bring such different experiences and career paths to the group. Can you describe the band’s special chemistry and why it works?

Peter Stroud (PS): Heck, the bass player from Aerosmith, drummer from The Babys, both who I idolized coming up as a player…Angus Young’s guitar tech and a singer from Mickey Mouse Club? Who would’ve ever thought we’d all come together? We set the game rules from the word “go” that everyone had total creative freedom. Simply bring it to the table and we’ll explore it. The beauty of this group for me is never knowing what each of these guys will add to a song. Including our sixth songwriter, Gary Stier.

Q: If you were to pick only one song from the album that captures what makes the band special, which one would that be and why?

(PS): “Rain.” It encompasses everything about this band that we’ve set out to be. Literally, everyone contributed to this song. The basic track you’re hearing is from the original first day we wrote and laid it down in my basement. Even my solo remained from that first recording.

Q: There’s always two sides to every band—what happens in the studio and what happens on stage. Now that you’ve played an array of shows and have more planned for later this year, can you tell us about why music fans should come and see Close Enemies?

(PS): When we’re writing a new song together I’m always envisioning how it’ll come off live on the big stage. This is the rock band I’ve always wanted to be in. Exciting, high energy, slightly unpredictable…both for me and our audience. And with good songs. All I’m hoping is that it comes off that way.

TRACE FOSTER

Q: You all bring such different experiences and career paths to the group. Can you describe the band’s special chemistry and why it works?

Trace Foster (TF): It’s because we all have different backgrounds that it does work. The common denominator is we have done it all so the egos are out the door. We are having fun and have nothing to prove to anyone. Because of this it allows us to really focus on the music

Q: If you were to pick only one song from the album that captures what makes the band special, which one would that be and why?

(TF): “Rain.” I had the original idea for the song. I presented what I had to the guys in the early afternoon…and by evening we were recording it. Each person contributed parts to that song. There were no squabbles or arguments just musicians doing what we do best. The song became way more than I could have imagined.

Q: There’s always two sides to every band—what happens in the studio and what happens on stage. Now that you’ve played an array of shows and have more planned for later this year, can you tell us about why music fans should come and see Close Enemies?

(TF): It’s nice to forget about life for a while. There’s too much negativity in this world and we all need a release from it. Watching us do our thing and playing the music that we all love is the perfect release.

CHASEN HAMPTON

Q: You all bring such different experiences and career paths to the group. Can you describe the band’s special chemistry and why it works?

Chasen Hampton (CH): The collective amount of years each member has spent in this business, the work, the sacrifice, the incredible highs and the great disappointments that come with a career in the music industry and in life —have shaped who we are. We’ve all spent a lifetime supporting great artists, playing behind the scenes, helping build something bigger than ourselves. But this time this is ours.

Q: If you were to pick only one song from the album that captures what makes the band special, which one would that be and why?

(CH): If I had to pick one song that captures what makes this band special, it would be “Sound Of A Train.” I’m definitely partial to it because it was the first recorded vocal that I sent to the band…it felt meant to be. Hearing that “sound of the train” is the call–it’s that moment. The train is leaving…the time is now…are you getting on?

Q: There’s always two sides to every band—what happens in the studio and what happens on stage. Now that you’ve played an array of shows and have more planned for later this year, can you tell us about why music fans should come and see Close Enemies?

(CH): On stage is where it fully comes alive. We’re a no click-track, no background tracks, old-school tube amp band. Plug and play. What you see is what you get. Five guys in a room making noise together and wanting to get you up and rocking. There’s no safety net and I think audiences feel that in the best way. One of the things we’ve read consistently in show reviews is how much fun we look like we’re having up there. That means everything to me. It’s contagious.

CLOSE ENEMIES
L-R: Chasen Hampton, Trace Foster, Tom Hamilton, Tony Brock, Peter Stroud

Photo Credit: Ross Halfin

The album’s track listing is as follows:
Rain 
Sound Of A Train 
Inside Out 
Sweet Baby Jesus 
Wink And A Feather 
Take A Pill 
More Than I Could Ever Need 
Mystery Of Love 
Battlefield 
She’s A Light »

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