Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yeah, Hi there, Detroit Wheels.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Hello, this is Trace Foster with close enemies Trace.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
How are you, brother? It's Doug Podell from w ll Z.
Glad to have you on the on the podcast today.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Absolutely, my friend. I'm gonna go ahead and grab the other,
uh the other guys here and uh oh have a party.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
All right, great, all right, Doug.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Say hi to Tony Brock.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Only seen you a couple hundred times, but ah, Doug.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
You're funny buddy. All right, dog, Hey, Doug, I'm gonna
I'm gonna grab Tom hold tight.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
So Hi Doug.
Speaker 5 (00:31):
How are you doing, buddy?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I'm doing good and I'm excited to talk to you
guys about this band because it looks and sounds great.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Sorry to interrupt you. Tony Brock say hi to Tom
Hamilton Doug.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Tom, how are you? And thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
It is great to have you on the podcast, but
even greater to have you still back out there.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
Rocket Bug John rang me on the menu and in
the unn there you go.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Yeah, this is Detroit is like a second hometown for you, Tom.
I mean you've been through Detroit so many times. I
actually saw Aerosmith the very first time you played at
the Michigan.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Palace with a C d C. I think it was. Yeah,
they opened up for you guys.
Speaker 5 (01:25):
I remember in palace, and I remember not tour and
watched them play every night when they were.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
They were you know, they were like you guys just
breaking out at that time. And uh, you know, exciting
times back then with so many of those bands. But
we've got exciting times right now with you guys. You're
bringing a little excitement back to rock and roll, no
question about it. With the band close enemies and let
(02:00):
me kind of tie everybody together here because we've got
Trace Foster, guitar player, extraordinary gun slinger who you know,
knows a little bit about ac DC.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
I guess.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
I guess I can kind of say, yeah, it's kind
of a yeah, a little bit.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I don't think you were the guitar tech though for
Angus back in nineteen seventy four.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
But I wish I was with that event.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
But yeah, longtime guitar tech for Angus from ac DC.
So yeah, that's some credibility right there.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Those guys are on fire. That's the only way to
describe it. Yeap, oh, yeah, now I'm close enough.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I stare him and then Tony Brock, We've already been,
you know, talking about the Babies and and all the
history of Detroit that the Babies had here as well.
So congratulations on celebrating fifty years with the Babies. You know,
you know when people first told me about the band,
(03:05):
they said, you know, it's kind of like a new supergroup,
and I'm going, what kind of supergroup?
Speaker 1 (03:10):
And then you know, when you really put it.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
All together, Uh, it is the closest thing to what
you know, people call a supergroup that we've had. I
don't know, maybe since Bad Company. I mean it really
you don't see much of that anymore, you know, cross
pollination of bands and members getting together, coming to the
motor coming to the Motor City this Saturday. And obviously
(03:35):
you've got protection.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Am Just so you know, if we just proved it's
definitely really us and it's live itake.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Whose dog is protecting who? Right now?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Tony, I'm gonna say it's your dog.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Well we got there's three drugs. Will just came in
and just walked into another room.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
We're good, Tony.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
So I was told, uh to ask you guys about
the name of the band, that it's a good story.
So let's start there close.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
Any once you start come on to give him it
was we uh. Will Trason expanded this, But we looked
for a name for Oh Forever, and every name was
always taken by you know, some punk band, and uh,
(04:37):
it was a nightmare, absolute nightmare trying to find it.
We found the nastiest names and they were still taking
We would.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Look, wouldn't we tonal, we would throw, We would throw
like this disgustingly growth name and d the whole time
that we're googling Google, giggling what were googling, and nobody
would happen.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
To Yeah, I think we tried whole wizards. They yeah, that.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Went out and they're doing well.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
And then.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Around them.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Really what it was it was harder. It was harder
to the name of Ben and find a singer, if
you can imagine that.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
So so luckily, luckily, at the end of all this debuckled. Uh,
Peter's wife Lynn just said, well how about close enemies
and were well, that's great.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
I said right away, there's no way that that is
not taken.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Yeah, this was the first one to say that's good,
that is too good. And uh, and then we came
from Lynn from Peter's wife and she she got it
from the Godfather and you know, keep her any of
his posts. So and it is kind of not indicative
(05:58):
to us because we are really close with good friends
and are still going to keep an eye on trades.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
By the way that I was just thinking that, but
I watch your backsucker.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Well, that is a good story. That is a good story.
Speaker 5 (06:14):
That's great.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You got to have that, you know, that foundation to
get to get off the ground. And let's start with
the name, right, tell me about some of the other
guys in the band, like Gary Gary.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
There is the guy. Gary's actually our songwriter. Okay. Gary
started off kind of as a singer of this project.
But Gary got into a really bad auto accident. This
has been a few years back, and because of the
damage to his day, broke his back and he was
just unable to really sting and stand. So Gary stayed
on as a songwriter, okay. And so Gary's like our
(06:48):
sixth kind of hidden sixth member, kind of He's our
Bernie top and as Tony would say, great lyricist, great
melody writer, and Chase and Hampton is our singer.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Okay, all right, Well, any history on him right now
that you can share it.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
If we got talking about him, you won't even want
to talk about because he got all the history. Then well,
he comes from the mixey Mouth Club with Doubt from
the nineties, seriously, from the nineties with Christine Aguilera and
Justin and Brittany. Chasing was one of those guys. Wow, man,
(07:25):
that's really where it came from. And he went the
rock route when they all went pop, and of course
the pop route made them all really big stars. And
Chason did some acting and did this and that, and
he was just waiting around I guess twenty years for
us to find him.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Well, that's awesome, boy. This thing is just building nicely
close enemies.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I do like the name.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
I'm glad you didn't pick like with so many, you know,
popular people in the band. You could have picked song
titles like these tribute bands, you know, like Hey, here's
dream on you know what I mean?
Speaker 5 (07:56):
And taken I don't know you go.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
We could have called the Tom Hamilton and Tony band.
We could have called a lot of things, but could
have called it.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
The Tom Hamilton Band. I guess yeah, you could have
started there.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
No, Tom Hamilton is new Man, not hand A marathon
to me and art Man and my man and the
man I'm in right now.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
No, definitely, you know we all get that feeling that
you guys are all kind of one big unit.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
No, it's definitely the democracy. I mean, it's Tracey's fault
that they were actually together. He started the whole project.
But you know it's it is you know a little
speaking about dream, it is a dream for all of us.
I don't think we've had one disagreement. We all you know,
(08:56):
as far as songwriting goes, when we all get together,
we try it. You know, it doesn't matter if it's
even a stupid idea and everybody think, we try it
because it's respectful and it either works or a No
one gets upset if it doesn't. The usually it does work.
And uh, it's just magic when the players in this band,
(09:20):
we have a definite passion and magic going on. It's
really unusual.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Well, it's awesome that you could all come together from
you know, all different parts and all different bands and
and had that camaraderie together in that and that chemistry,
I guess. But uh, Tom, how did you feel after?
I mean, I know you've probably banged around with these
guys a few times before. But when Aerosmith finally hung
(09:48):
it up there and called it quits, what were what
was your feeling? Uh, did you feel like it was
really necessary for you to get back out there.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Right away and start rocking again or what were.
Speaker 5 (09:59):
Your thoughts at remember writing the merry start of a
four months tour and the turn show in Simon fell
and smashed his noise boys against the middle railing and
that was our thurn show and we were only building
(10:22):
momentum and excitement and it was enjoyous. Me up there
on stage called me and playing some of the songs
you hear those guys I've been writing, and asked him,
I just I was so ready. I was. I was
(10:42):
hurry for some more rock, So here I am.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
He ain't going anywhere. We won't let him.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
So when you all come together like that and you're
you're making new music, do you also you know, address
the past with the audience? I mean, what what's a
setlist like for you guys? New music, cover songs, songs
from the babies and Errol Smith, A C, D C,
any of that?
Speaker 1 (11:09):
What? What what's it like when you come to a show.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
We do uh, we play basically our whole record, our
new record that will be out in the fall, that
we've released what four singles now. I think our next
single rains released tomorrow. I do believe in a couple
of days now we play the whole album except for
one song because it's an acoustic thing that we really
can't pull off. It's it's too it's too much to
to try to play it. And then we we we
(11:33):
do a couple of aerosmiths and a couple of baby songs.
We definitely can't.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
You can't not.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Pay tribute to that, well, I would, I would, I
would not. I would not want to not do that,
I should say. I mean, there's no reason we wouldn't
want to do that. Nob, That's how That's how we
got to this point. That's how those guys got to
this point. Why do why do we want to act
like that never happened?
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Plus plus uh, you know Tom, Tom wrote you know
sweet Emotion, and I wrote head first, so it's like
even more credibilities of actually put them in the set.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
So yeah, yeah, I think coming together in a studio
with all of you guys and all the history that
you're bringing in there, it's got to be pretty productive
and pretty exciting. I mean, were there any challenges I
mean at first or did you guys just sort of
click right from the beginning.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
Well, for me, the style of the man and very
at the same screen as Aeron Smith. You know, it's
the same planner for me and may have to continue that.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
You know, when it comes across as straight ahead rock,
I mean, it's gonna sound kind of like Aerosmith or
The Babies or led Zeppelin, And I guess that's kind
of what some of the reviews have said. But uh,
they've also been very positive on how you guys have
really carved data niche for yourselves and that the new
(13:03):
stuff really you know, comes together as close enemies.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah, I would agree. I think the cool thing about
this is we all do have our certain flavor. And
I mean, when I grew up, let's face that, the
the first music that I learned how to play was Aerosmith.
I grew up wanting to be Joe like most other
people that you know my age wanted to be. And
then so there's no there's no denying that that that
that's in there, you know, so that's going to come
out when you write and then when you got Tom
(13:30):
and the band who has that you know, that's that
great sensibility, that great melody, and that great playing ability.
And then you got Tony who's like, you know, we
do songs and we think they're finished, and like Tony said,
we all we add stuff and we we all Every
song we do has an input from everybody in it.
That's why every song is written by all of us.
It says every person wrote it because we have we've
we've all contributed, even if it's minor or small, we've
(13:53):
all contributed. And then when we think it's done, there's
always Tony in the back, the voice of reason, going,
I think we need one more.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Thought that goes like this, right, Tony.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Always right. It's like the icing on the cake.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Oh yeah, thank you guys.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
We love you, dude. It's so amazing. It's so I mean,
we all, every one of us, said our singer Chase
and says it every night, because I just sit back
in awe and just look around and go, wow, I'm
part of this.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
It's amazing.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
I'm the same way. I pinch myself all the time
going to get all these guys in a room together
and for it to work. You know, we talked about
we don't consider ourselves a supergroup. We consider ourself a
group that's really super because we really are. We just
do what we're supposed to do. And we're all songwriters.
So that's why it does work, because we have enough
material to probably be playing till we're all in our eighties.
So it's like, you know, that's pretty cool too.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
So this is like the first big tour.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Have you guys been able to, you know, play together
before this?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
We did a winery one winery winery run in January
on the East Coast. Where else do you play in
January but the East coast?
Speaker 4 (14:59):
So, and I mean.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
In the Midwest. Yes, we we've done some we did.
We do well eleven shows, guys, I think we did okay,
all right, yeah, And so I mean we just basically
did this just we did this thing to see, hey,
how's this going to work? What are people are going
to think? And after we did that, we we just
got off the road and we're all like, let's get
back out there. This is working really good. Let's just
let's do this well.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
I would imagine that you guys do have a great
fan following from all of the different groups that you've
been in and all of the different entities that you've.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
You know, played around the world.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Actually, so when people hear of, you know, a group
like this getting together and playing in their hometown, it's
it's got to be exciting. It's got to be packed,
and I'm sure it'll be packed at the Token Lounge
this Saturday night.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Are you going to be there? That's the question.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Absolutely, I'm your MC. Yeah, So I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
I'm excited about seeing you guys myself because the only
thing I've seen is, you know, a little bit on
YouTube from some of the fan videos that have been
put up there, and you know, I mean, it really
looks like you guys are just having so much fun
up there, and it doesn't seem like you're a new band.
(16:17):
It seems like you guys have been around forever. But
I guess that's because you have so much history and
you know, so much experience in the group like.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Minded as well, which is I think really important. I mean,
every one of us, if you would look at our
background and our likes, there's a lot of differences in
the music, but there's also a lot of the core
like So when you said Bad Company. I guarantee, Tony
got you puffed up your chest, didn't you, Tony. We
were like, if we could be like any band, bad
Company is. It's one of our favorites, one of all
(16:47):
of our favorites. You know, how could not be one
of your favorites. If you like classic rock, that's about
as classic as you can get.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
Well, yeah, a similar it's a similar pairing, you know.
I mean the way they came together with you know,
members from different bands and uh straight ahead rock.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
And roll just like you guys.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I mean, who knows what the future may bring for
you guys, because it's thin out there when it comes
to the world of rock and roll, especially.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
When you lose bands like Aerosmith.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
You know, nobody was expecting that, and I'm sure Tom
you weren't expecting it either. I mean, does it hurt
a little bit when you're doing these podcasts and and
going out and talking to the fans, so that you know,
Aerosmith is is really kind of I don't know where
is it at right now?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Tom, do you have any idea yourself?
Speaker 5 (17:36):
Well, there is a chance of uh mo shows and
a little nay in tours, but you know, the man
hasn't broken up.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
You know, there's no man.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
You never know the situation right now.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Yeah, so to never say never.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
And uh yeah, I mean like like yourself, you're out,
Joe's going to be out. So Trace, tell me, tell
me how this whole thing came together. I mean, I
know you mentioned that, you know, you made a few calls,
but you had to have put a little more thought
into that beforehand as to how this was all going
(18:21):
to work out and how the players would would mesh
with each other.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
So what what what was your thoughts going into this?
Speaker 2 (18:31):
My thought was, so I was, you know about Gary Steer.
So Gary and I have we played bands in the
early eighties together in Atlanta, Georgia, which is where Peter's
from us where Tony's from that area now, and and
I just I woke up one day and I was
playing in the southern rock band, which is my favorite.
And you know, we're in a van and we're making
no money. And when I'm not toring, I'm doing that
(18:52):
and I'm like, you know, this is really fun, but
I'm too old to do this stuff. If I'm going
to do this, I want to do it one last time.
But I want to call my friends. I want to
do with my friends. I want to do with people
who have something to say. I knew that Tom. I
know Tom had something to say. I know Tom had
songs that Aerosmith didn't use. I know he does. I mean,
(19:13):
it's just just pretty obvious to me that he did.
So I'm like, okay, Tom would be good. Peter Stroud,
I mean Peter and I come from the I mean
Peter and I used to work across the street from
each other the music stores in Atlanta, and we just
never really hooked up. And then one time I just
started talking to Peter over at ed Ed ed Rowland's
house from Collective Soul. We were over at Ed's house
(19:33):
and we kind of reconnected and just talked and talked,
and I was like, man, if I ever do anything,
I'm going to get him involved. So I started writing
with Gary again. I told Gary, I said, you know,
I really think that I want to do something serious.
I me and Gary started writing. We had a couple
of songs. I called Peter. Peter was like, wow, this
is really good. I want in. So I was like, okay,
that was one phone call. Nobody I called said no. So,
(19:55):
I mean that's amazing to me because everybody, Yeah, it
is just a feeling because, like I said, Tony, Tony
still got I mean it's like people just think because
the babies, you know, the babies aren't touring, or you know,
the aerosmitht's not touring, what's going on? What are you
supposed to do? Just sit home and go I used
to be this or I used to be that. No, man,
it's like that's you know, like I said to somebody
(20:15):
before when they asked Paul McCartney when he was going
to retire, and his answer was amazing. He said, I
would have to have a job to retire from. It's
not a job. So it's what you do. It's your life, right.
I mean it's like asking somebody to stop stop living,
you know. So I literally had it. I had just
got Gary involved in. We had a different drummer and
a different bass player who just because of I mean again,
(20:38):
just guys that amazing that we're like, yeah, we're in.
And then there's their schedules didn't work out, and then
Tony Peter was like, man, Tony Brock and he didn't
even finish the word brock, and I was like, he's in.
He wants to, he's in, and then I'm like, and
this is a true story, Tom and I. Tom was
doing Vegas with Aerosmith and I knew we needed a
bass player. And I just hung up the phone with
(21:00):
Peter and I'm standing backstage looking at Tom getting ready
to go on stage, and in my brain, I really
the truth. I went, But the the best bass player
I know is right over there. And when we're done
with this show, I'm going to ask him. And I did,
and that's what he's talking about. Send him some songs
and it didn't take him very long till he was like, hey,
you know, I went to his room. He's like, hey,
let's let's talk about this. I let's let's let's do this.
(21:22):
And there you go.
Speaker 5 (21:24):
Yeah, you know, Hans and Timmons on their own and
then are not in a man? Really, I don't know
a man.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Yeah, it's hard, you know. I listen, I understand just
being in this business myself, heading into my fiftiest year
here in radio, it's not easy to walk away when
you love what you're doing.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
And uh, you guys all love what you were doing.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
And I, you know, I had a friend of mine
and say Tom Hamilton, Why why would he want to play, you.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Know, in a band and play the token?
Speaker 3 (22:00):
And I said, because he loves it, man, And you
just said it right there. You've been in a band
your whole life. What what else is there to do
but play? So I mean, we're desperate for a good
straight ahead rock band.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
So it's I'm I'm.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Glad personally that that you guys have formed this group.
You you've done this one album. Now you've all kind
of you know, got through it. You're putting your singles
out and you're going to finish this thing off. But
would you go back and do it again now? Another album?
Maybe for the upcoming new year? In twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Tom Tom said it best. Tom, Remember when you said
we'll put music out until people don't want us to
do it anymore. Ye?
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Right, there you go.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
That's the truth.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
Right, That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
I mean, yeah, I mean, just to talk about your
coolst a straight ahead rock and roll band, but there's
so many intricate punts that are not very apparent but
the very apparent to the players that it makes it
so interesting and a little bit clever, and like woll
(23:07):
that's nice. And because we're pretty you know, efficient at
what we do. It's like when I'm playing and Tom
does something special or Trace or Peter, it's like, oh,
this is why I'm still doing it. And you know,
and at my age, in all our age, I've still
got something to say. And when you get other players
(23:31):
that have something to say, they're not done. We love
what we do and we feed. We're feeding off of
each other and it's it's just incredible. So we're not
really just a straighter head walk and roll band. I
think we're we with these songs and all the characters
in the band, we've created something that's slightly off the
(23:54):
wells too, and we've got our own little niche going
and that's what I love about it.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
You know. We did the show and we're like, oh,
we hope it goes well. After the first song, people
weren't just giving us a golf clap. They were like
on their feet going yes, and we were like, this
is amazing. So and then at the end of the show,
we all kind of you know, got in the dressing
room and we were like, what a great show. This
is really fun. And then we were like, were we
too fun? Were we too? Vegas were we too happy?
(24:21):
And then we read the reviews the next day and
it said that band is so amazing. You're having so
much fun up there. It's just like you want to
be a part of it. And we just looked at
each other and went, Nope, I think we're doing good. Yes,
you know, because we all were grinning from ear to
freaking ear and why wouldn't you be?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
And me, Irons, you know, ye, you shut you right,
and you know, and there's no reason like a hand.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
That's what I saw when I was watching the videos.
I said, Wow, the audience, they love these guys, and
you look like you were having so much fun on stage.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Uh, you know, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
And I think it's going to be a star studded
night coming up here on Saturday night. Token Lounge. Congrats
to you guys. I'm looking forward to it myself. I'll
be out there. I look forward to seeing you guys.
But more important, Detroit looks forward to seeing you guys,
and you will get the true barometer of rock and
roll once you step on that stage in Detroit.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
We ain't scared, I can say that much.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Now.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
You're a bunch of gunslingers. That's why, hey listen. Thank you,
trace Tony, Tom for the time. I appreciate it, and
good luck there on Saturday night. I look forward to
seeing you.
Speaker 4 (25:48):
Thank you, thank you, buddy. Thanks for having us on.
We appreciate it.
Yeah, Hi there, Detroit Wheels.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Hello, this is Trace Foster with close enemies Trace.
Speaker 3 (00:05):
How are you, brother? It's Doug Podell from w ll Z.
Glad to have you on the on the podcast today.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Absolutely, my friend. I'm gonna go ahead and grab the other,
uh the other guys here and uh oh have a party.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
All right, great, all right, Doug.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Say hi to Tony Brock.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Only seen you a couple hundred times, but ah, Doug.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
You're funny buddy. All right, dog, Hey, Doug, I'm gonna
I'm gonna grab Tom hold tight.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
So Hi Doug.
Speaker 5 (00:31):
How are you doing, buddy?
Speaker 3 (00:32):
I'm doing good and I'm excited to talk to you
guys about this band because it looks and sounds great.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Sorry to interrupt you. Tony Brock say hi to Tom
Hamilton Doug.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Tom, how are you? And thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
It is great to have you on the podcast, but
even greater to have you still back out there.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
Rocket Bug John rang me on the menu and in
the unn there you go.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Yeah, this is Detroit is like a second hometown for you, Tom.
I mean you've been through Detroit so many times. I
actually saw Aerosmith the very first time you played at
the Michigan.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Palace with a C d C. I think it was. Yeah,
they opened up for you guys.
Speaker 5 (01:25):
I remember in palace, and I remember not tour and
watched them play every night when they were.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
They were you know, they were like you guys just
breaking out at that time. And uh, you know, exciting
times back then with so many of those bands. But
we've got exciting times right now with you guys. You're
bringing a little excitement back to rock and roll, no
question about it. With the band close enemies and let
(02:00):
me kind of tie everybody together here because we've got
Trace Foster, guitar player, extraordinary gun slinger who you know,
knows a little bit about ac DC.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
I guess.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
I guess I can kind of say, yeah, it's kind
of a yeah, a little bit.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I don't think you were the guitar tech though for
Angus back in nineteen seventy four.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
But I wish I was with that event.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
But yeah, longtime guitar tech for Angus from ac DC.
So yeah, that's some credibility right there.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Those guys are on fire. That's the only way to
describe it. Yeap, oh, yeah, now I'm close enough.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I stare him and then Tony Brock, We've already been,
you know, talking about the Babies and and all the
history of Detroit that the Babies had here as well.
So congratulations on celebrating fifty years with the Babies. You know,
you know when people first told me about the band,
(03:05):
they said, you know, it's kind of like a new supergroup,
and I'm going, what kind of supergroup?
Speaker 1 (03:10):
And then you know, when you really put it.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
All together, Uh, it is the closest thing to what
you know, people call a supergroup that we've had. I
don't know, maybe since Bad Company. I mean it really
you don't see much of that anymore, you know, cross
pollination of bands and members getting together, coming to the
motor coming to the Motor City this Saturday. And obviously
(03:35):
you've got protection.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Am Just so you know, if we just proved it's
definitely really us and it's live itake.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Whose dog is protecting who? Right now?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Tony, I'm gonna say it's your dog.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Well we got there's three drugs. Will just came in
and just walked into another room.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
We're good, Tony.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
So I was told, uh to ask you guys about
the name of the band, that it's a good story.
So let's start there close.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
Any once you start come on to give him it
was we uh. Will Trason expanded this, But we looked
for a name for Oh Forever, and every name was
always taken by you know, some punk band, and uh,
(04:37):
it was a nightmare, absolute nightmare trying to find it.
We found the nastiest names and they were still taking
We would.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Look, wouldn't we tonal, we would throw, We would throw
like this disgustingly growth name and d the whole time
that we're googling Google, giggling what were googling, and nobody
would happen.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
To Yeah, I think we tried whole wizards. They yeah, that.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Went out and they're doing well.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
And then.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Around them.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Really what it was it was harder. It was harder
to the name of Ben and find a singer, if
you can imagine that.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
So so luckily, luckily, at the end of all this debuckled. Uh,
Peter's wife Lynn just said, well how about close enemies
and were well, that's great.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
I said right away, there's no way that that is
not taken.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Yeah, this was the first one to say that's good,
that is too good. And uh, and then we came
from Lynn from Peter's wife and she she got it
from the Godfather and you know, keep her any of
his posts. So and it is kind of not indicative
(05:58):
to us because we are really close with good friends
and are still going to keep an eye on trades.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
By the way that I was just thinking that, but
I watch your backsucker.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
Well, that is a good story. That is a good story.
Speaker 5 (06:14):
That's great.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
You got to have that, you know, that foundation to
get to get off the ground. And let's start with
the name, right, tell me about some of the other
guys in the band, like Gary Gary.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
There is the guy. Gary's actually our songwriter. Okay. Gary
started off kind of as a singer of this project.
But Gary got into a really bad auto accident. This
has been a few years back, and because of the
damage to his day, broke his back and he was
just unable to really sting and stand. So Gary stayed
on as a songwriter, okay. And so Gary's like our
(06:48):
sixth kind of hidden sixth member, kind of He's our
Bernie top and as Tony would say, great lyricist, great
melody writer, and Chase and Hampton is our singer.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Okay, all right, Well, any history on him right now
that you can share it.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
If we got talking about him, you won't even want
to talk about because he got all the history. Then well,
he comes from the mixey Mouth Club with Doubt from
the nineties, seriously, from the nineties with Christine Aguilera and
Justin and Brittany. Chasing was one of those guys. Wow, man,
(07:25):
that's really where it came from. And he went the
rock route when they all went pop, and of course
the pop route made them all really big stars. And
Chason did some acting and did this and that, and
he was just waiting around I guess twenty years for
us to find him.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Well, that's awesome, boy. This thing is just building nicely
close enemies.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
I do like the name.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
I'm glad you didn't pick like with so many, you know,
popular people in the band. You could have picked song
titles like these tribute bands, you know, like Hey, here's
dream on you know what I mean?
Speaker 5 (07:56):
And taken I don't know you go.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
We could have called the Tom Hamilton and Tony band.
We could have called a lot of things, but could
have called it.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
The Tom Hamilton Band. I guess yeah, you could have
started there.
Speaker 5 (08:13):
No, Tom Hamilton is new Man, not hand A marathon
to me and art Man and my man and the
man I'm in right now.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
No, definitely, you know we all get that feeling that
you guys are all kind of one big unit.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
No, it's definitely the democracy. I mean, it's Tracey's fault
that they were actually together. He started the whole project.
But you know it's it is you know a little
speaking about dream, it is a dream for all of us.
I don't think we've had one disagreement. We all you know,
(08:56):
as far as songwriting goes, when we all get together,
we try it. You know, it doesn't matter if it's
even a stupid idea and everybody think, we try it
because it's respectful and it either works or a No
one gets upset if it doesn't. The usually it does work.
And uh, it's just magic when the players in this band,
(09:20):
we have a definite passion and magic going on. It's
really unusual.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Well, it's awesome that you could all come together from
you know, all different parts and all different bands and
and had that camaraderie together in that and that chemistry,
I guess. But uh, Tom, how did you feel after?
I mean, I know you've probably banged around with these
guys a few times before. But when Aerosmith finally hung
(09:48):
it up there and called it quits, what were what
was your feeling? Uh, did you feel like it was
really necessary for you to get back out there.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Right away and start rocking again or what were.
Speaker 5 (09:59):
Your thoughts at remember writing the merry start of a
four months tour and the turn show in Simon fell
and smashed his noise boys against the middle railing and
that was our thurn show and we were only building
(10:22):
momentum and excitement and it was enjoyous. Me up there
on stage called me and playing some of the songs
you hear those guys I've been writing, and asked him,
I just I was so ready. I was. I was
(10:42):
hurry for some more rock, So here I am.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
He ain't going anywhere. We won't let him.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
So when you all come together like that and you're
you're making new music, do you also you know, address
the past with the audience? I mean, what what's a
setlist like for you guys? New music, cover songs, songs
from the babies and Errol Smith, A C, D C,
any of that?
Speaker 1 (11:09):
What? What what's it like when you come to a show.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
We do uh, we play basically our whole record, our
new record that will be out in the fall, that
we've released what four singles now. I think our next
single rains released tomorrow. I do believe in a couple
of days now we play the whole album except for
one song because it's an acoustic thing that we really
can't pull off. It's it's too it's too much to
to try to play it. And then we we we
(11:33):
do a couple of aerosmiths and a couple of baby songs.
We definitely can't.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
You can't not.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Pay tribute to that, well, I would, I would, I
would not. I would not want to not do that,
I should say. I mean, there's no reason we wouldn't
want to do that. Nob, That's how That's how we
got to this point. That's how those guys got to
this point. Why do why do we want to act
like that never happened?
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Plus plus uh, you know Tom, Tom wrote you know
sweet Emotion, and I wrote head first, so it's like
even more credibilities of actually put them in the set.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
So yeah, yeah, I think coming together in a studio
with all of you guys and all the history that
you're bringing in there, it's got to be pretty productive
and pretty exciting. I mean, were there any challenges I
mean at first or did you guys just sort of
click right from the beginning.
Speaker 5 (12:26):
Well, for me, the style of the man and very
at the same screen as Aeron Smith. You know, it's
the same planner for me and may have to continue that.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
You know, when it comes across as straight ahead rock,
I mean, it's gonna sound kind of like Aerosmith or
The Babies or led Zeppelin, And I guess that's kind
of what some of the reviews have said. But uh,
they've also been very positive on how you guys have
really carved data niche for yourselves and that the new
(13:03):
stuff really you know, comes together as close enemies.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah, I would agree. I think the cool thing about
this is we all do have our certain flavor. And
I mean, when I grew up, let's face that, the
the first music that I learned how to play was Aerosmith.
I grew up wanting to be Joe like most other
people that you know my age wanted to be. And
then so there's no there's no denying that that that
that's in there, you know, so that's going to come
out when you write and then when you got Tom
(13:30):
and the band who has that you know, that's that
great sensibility, that great melody, and that great playing ability.
And then you got Tony who's like, you know, we
do songs and we think they're finished, and like Tony said,
we all we add stuff and we we all Every
song we do has an input from everybody in it.
That's why every song is written by all of us.
It says every person wrote it because we have we've
we've all contributed, even if it's minor or small, we've
(13:53):
all contributed. And then when we think it's done, there's
always Tony in the back, the voice of reason, going,
I think we need one more.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Thought that goes like this, right, Tony.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Always right. It's like the icing on the cake.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Oh yeah, thank you guys.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
We love you, dude. It's so amazing. It's so I mean,
we all, every one of us, said our singer Chase
and says it every night, because I just sit back
in awe and just look around and go, wow, I'm
part of this.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
It's amazing.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
I'm the same way. I pinch myself all the time
going to get all these guys in a room together
and for it to work. You know, we talked about
we don't consider ourselves a supergroup. We consider ourself a
group that's really super because we really are. We just
do what we're supposed to do. And we're all songwriters.
So that's why it does work, because we have enough
material to probably be playing till we're all in our eighties.
So it's like, you know, that's pretty cool too.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
So this is like the first big tour.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Have you guys been able to, you know, play together
before this?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
We did a winery one winery winery run in January
on the East Coast. Where else do you play in
January but the East coast?
Speaker 4 (14:59):
So, and I mean.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
In the Midwest. Yes, we we've done some we did.
We do well eleven shows, guys, I think we did okay,
all right, yeah, And so I mean we just basically
did this just we did this thing to see, hey,
how's this going to work? What are people are going
to think? And after we did that, we we just
got off the road and we're all like, let's get
back out there. This is working really good. Let's just
let's do this well.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
I would imagine that you guys do have a great
fan following from all of the different groups that you've
been in and all of the different entities that you've.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
You know, played around the world.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Actually, so when people hear of, you know, a group
like this getting together and playing in their hometown, it's
it's got to be exciting. It's got to be packed,
and I'm sure it'll be packed at the Token Lounge
this Saturday night.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Are you going to be there? That's the question.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Absolutely, I'm your MC. Yeah, So I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
I'm excited about seeing you guys myself because the only
thing I've seen is, you know, a little bit on
YouTube from some of the fan videos that have been
put up there, and you know, I mean, it really
looks like you guys are just having so much fun
up there, and it doesn't seem like you're a new band.
(16:17):
It seems like you guys have been around forever. But
I guess that's because you have so much history and
you know, so much experience in the group like.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Minded as well, which is I think really important. I mean,
every one of us, if you would look at our
background and our likes, there's a lot of differences in
the music, but there's also a lot of the core
like So when you said Bad Company. I guarantee, Tony
got you puffed up your chest, didn't you, Tony. We
were like, if we could be like any band, bad
Company is. It's one of our favorites, one of all
(16:47):
of our favorites. You know, how could not be one
of your favorites. If you like classic rock, that's about
as classic as you can get.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
Well, yeah, a similar it's a similar pairing, you know.
I mean the way they came together with you know,
members from different bands and uh straight ahead rock.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
And roll just like you guys.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I mean, who knows what the future may bring for
you guys, because it's thin out there when it comes
to the world of rock and roll, especially.
Speaker 1 (17:13):
When you lose bands like Aerosmith.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
You know, nobody was expecting that, and I'm sure Tom
you weren't expecting it either. I mean, does it hurt
a little bit when you're doing these podcasts and and
going out and talking to the fans, so that you know,
Aerosmith is is really kind of I don't know where
is it at right now?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Tom, do you have any idea yourself?
Speaker 5 (17:36):
Well, there is a chance of uh mo shows and
a little nay in tours, but you know, the man
hasn't broken up.
Speaker 4 (17:53):
You know, there's no man.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
You never know the situation right now.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Yeah, so to never say never.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
And uh yeah, I mean like like yourself, you're out,
Joe's going to be out. So Trace, tell me, tell
me how this whole thing came together. I mean, I
know you mentioned that, you know, you made a few calls,
but you had to have put a little more thought
into that beforehand as to how this was all going
(18:21):
to work out and how the players would would mesh
with each other.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
So what what what was your thoughts going into this?
Speaker 2 (18:31):
My thought was, so I was, you know about Gary Steer.
So Gary and I have we played bands in the
early eighties together in Atlanta, Georgia, which is where Peter's
from us where Tony's from that area now, and and
I just I woke up one day and I was
playing in the southern rock band, which is my favorite.
And you know, we're in a van and we're making
no money. And when I'm not toring, I'm doing that
(18:52):
and I'm like, you know, this is really fun, but
I'm too old to do this stuff. If I'm going
to do this, I want to do it one last time.
But I want to call my friends. I want to
do with my friends. I want to do with people
who have something to say. I knew that Tom. I
know Tom had something to say. I know Tom had
songs that Aerosmith didn't use. I know he does. I mean,
(19:13):
it's just just pretty obvious to me that he did.
So I'm like, okay, Tom would be good. Peter Stroud,
I mean Peter and I come from the I mean
Peter and I used to work across the street from
each other the music stores in Atlanta, and we just
never really hooked up. And then one time I just
started talking to Peter over at ed Ed ed Rowland's
house from Collective Soul. We were over at Ed's house
(19:33):
and we kind of reconnected and just talked and talked,
and I was like, man, if I ever do anything,
I'm going to get him involved. So I started writing
with Gary again. I told Gary, I said, you know,
I really think that I want to do something serious.
I me and Gary started writing. We had a couple
of songs. I called Peter. Peter was like, wow, this
is really good. I want in. So I was like, okay,
that was one phone call. Nobody I called said no. So,
(19:55):
I mean that's amazing to me because everybody, Yeah, it
is just a feeling because, like I said, Tony, Tony
still got I mean it's like people just think because
the babies, you know, the babies aren't touring, or you know,
the aerosmitht's not touring, what's going on? What are you
supposed to do? Just sit home and go I used
to be this or I used to be that. No, man,
it's like that's you know, like I said to somebody
(20:15):
before when they asked Paul McCartney when he was going
to retire, and his answer was amazing. He said, I
would have to have a job to retire from. It's
not a job. So it's what you do. It's your life, right.
I mean it's like asking somebody to stop stop living,
you know. So I literally had it. I had just
got Gary involved in. We had a different drummer and
a different bass player who just because of I mean again,
(20:38):
just guys that amazing that we're like, yeah, we're in.
And then there's their schedules didn't work out, and then
Tony Peter was like, man, Tony Brock and he didn't
even finish the word brock, and I was like, he's in.
He wants to, he's in, and then I'm like, and
this is a true story, Tom and I. Tom was
doing Vegas with Aerosmith and I knew we needed a
bass player. And I just hung up the phone with
(21:00):
Peter and I'm standing backstage looking at Tom getting ready
to go on stage, and in my brain, I really
the truth. I went, But the the best bass player
I know is right over there. And when we're done
with this show, I'm going to ask him. And I did,
and that's what he's talking about. Send him some songs
and it didn't take him very long till he was like, hey,
you know, I went to his room. He's like, hey,
let's let's talk about this. I let's let's let's do this.
(21:22):
And there you go.
Speaker 5 (21:24):
Yeah, you know, Hans and Timmons on their own and
then are not in a man? Really, I don't know
a man.
Speaker 3 (21:35):
Yeah, it's hard, you know. I listen, I understand just
being in this business myself, heading into my fiftiest year
here in radio, it's not easy to walk away when
you love what you're doing.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
And uh, you guys all love what you were doing.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
And I, you know, I had a friend of mine
and say Tom Hamilton, Why why would he want to play, you.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
Know, in a band and play the token?
Speaker 3 (22:00):
And I said, because he loves it, man, And you
just said it right there. You've been in a band
your whole life. What what else is there to do
but play? So I mean, we're desperate for a good
straight ahead rock band.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
So it's I'm I'm.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Glad personally that that you guys have formed this group.
You you've done this one album. Now you've all kind
of you know, got through it. You're putting your singles
out and you're going to finish this thing off. But
would you go back and do it again now? Another album?
Maybe for the upcoming new year? In twenty twenty six.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Tom Tom said it best. Tom, Remember when you said
we'll put music out until people don't want us to
do it anymore. Ye?
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Right, there you go.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
That's the truth.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
Right, That's awesome.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
I mean, yeah, I mean, just to talk about your
coolst a straight ahead rock and roll band, but there's
so many intricate punts that are not very apparent but
the very apparent to the players that it makes it
so interesting and a little bit clever, and like woll
(23:07):
that's nice. And because we're pretty you know, efficient at
what we do. It's like when I'm playing and Tom
does something special or Trace or Peter, it's like, oh,
this is why I'm still doing it. And you know,
and at my age, in all our age, I've still
got something to say. And when you get other players
(23:31):
that have something to say, they're not done. We love
what we do and we feed. We're feeding off of
each other and it's it's just incredible. So we're not
really just a straighter head walk and roll band. I
think we're we with these songs and all the characters
in the band, we've created something that's slightly off the
(23:54):
wells too, and we've got our own little niche going
and that's what I love about it.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
You know. We did the show and we're like, oh,
we hope it goes well. After the first song, people
weren't just giving us a golf clap. They were like
on their feet going yes, and we were like, this
is amazing. So and then at the end of the show,
we all kind of you know, got in the dressing
room and we were like, what a great show. This
is really fun. And then we were like, were we
too fun? Were we too? Vegas were we too happy?
(24:21):
And then we read the reviews the next day and
it said that band is so amazing. You're having so
much fun up there. It's just like you want to
be a part of it. And we just looked at
each other and went, Nope, I think we're doing good. Yes,
you know, because we all were grinning from ear to
freaking ear and why wouldn't you be?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
And me, Irons, you know, ye, you shut you right,
and you know, and there's no reason like a hand.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
That's what I saw when I was watching the videos.
I said, Wow, the audience, they love these guys, and
you look like you were having so much fun on stage.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Uh, you know, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
And I think it's going to be a star studded
night coming up here on Saturday night. Token Lounge. Congrats
to you guys. I'm looking forward to it myself. I'll
be out there. I look forward to seeing you guys.
But more important, Detroit looks forward to seeing you guys,
and you will get the true barometer of rock and
roll once you step on that stage in Detroit.
Speaker 2 (25:32):
We ain't scared, I can say that much.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Now.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
You're a bunch of gunslingers. That's why, hey listen. Thank you,
trace Tony, Tom for the time. I appreciate it, and
good luck there on Saturday night. I look forward to
seeing you.
Speaker 4 (25:48):
Thank you, thank you, buddy. Thanks for having us on.
We appreciate it.
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