Close Enemies
Ignite Sarasota:
A Rock Supergroup Proves
Its Power at Encore Live
concert review by Ray Shasho
'Interviewing the Legends'
Sarasota’s brand‑new Encore Live nightclub didn’t just host a concert on Sunday night — it hosted a seismic event. Close Enemies, the newly formed all‑star rock collective, delivered a blistering, high‑octane performance that left the packed house buzzing long after the final notes faded. For a venue still finding its identity, this show felt like a christening by fire.
“Close Enemies proved they’re not a side project — they’re a force.”
The band’s lineup reads like a rock historian’s fever dream: Aerosmith bassist and songwriter Tom Hamilton, The Babys’ powerhouse drummer Tony Brock, Sheryl Crow’s longtime guitarist Peter Stroud, AC/DC and Aerosmith guitar tech‑turned‑axe‑slinger Trace Foster, and frontman Chasen Hampton, whose voice proved every bit as commanding and versatile as his Disney‑era résumé suggests. Together, they formed a unit that felt both impossibly seasoned and startlingly fresh.
“Close Enemies didn’t just play Sarasota — they detonated it.”
The show kicked off promptly at 9 p.m. with “Rain,” a moody, atmospheric opener that set the tone for a night built on dynamics — thunderous peaks, soulful valleys, and everything in between. From there, Close Enemies wasted no time showcasing their original material. “Sound of a Train,” “Inside Out,” and “Sweet Baby Jesus” revealed a band with a clear identity: muscular rock grooves anchored by Hamilton’s melodic bass lines, Brock’s thunderous precision, and Stroud and Foster’s interlocking guitars that alternated between grit and grace.
“When Tom Hamilton locks in with Tony Brock, you’re hearing rock history
breathing in real time.”
Hampton, meanwhile, proved to be the band’s secret weapon. His voice soared, cracked, whispered, and roared — whatever the moment demanded, he delivered. On “Take a Pill” and “More Than I Could Ever Need,” he commanded the stage with the confidence of a frontman who knows he belongs in the same room as legends.
Chasen Hampton didn’t just front the band — he owned the room.”
The night’s first major eruption came with “Midnight Rendezvous,” a nod to Brock’s tenure with The Babys. The crowd recognized the opening riff instantly, and Brock — smiling like a man revisiting an old friend — drove the song with the swagger only he can summon.
Close Enemies also proved fearless in their future classic “Battlefield” a surprise highlight. Later, “Seasons of Wither” showcased Hamilton’s deep connection to the Aerosmith catalog, with the band delivering a haunting, faithful rendition that drew one of the night’s loudest ovations.
Originals like “Wink & a Feather” kept the momentum high, each one revealing a different facet of the band’s chemistry — from blues‑tinged grit to soaring melodic rock.
But the closing stretch is where Close Enemies truly detonated. “Sick as a Dog” and “Sweet Emotion” turned the room into a full‑throttle celebration of Hamilton’s legacy, with the audience singing every word. The encore‑style finale — a drum solo leading into “Head First” — was a masterclass in showmanship. Brock’s solo was explosive without ever becoming indulgent, and when the band crashed into the final song, the room felt like it might lift off its foundation.
Peter Stroud delivered a spellbinding performance, his lead guitar work holding the Encore Live audience in absolute silence. Long admired by fellow musicians, Stroud deserves far wider recognition as one of the most expressive and technically gifted guitarists of his generation. It’s time for music journalists to elevate his standing among the all‑time greats.
Trace Foster, the band’s second guitarist, is the definition of a pure, instinctive musician. His years onstage with Angus Young (AC/DC), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), and Joe Perry (Aerosmith) have shaped a player whose tone, timing, and touch place him firmly among the industry’s elite.
By the end of the night, one thing was unmistakably clear: Close Enemies aren’t a novelty supergroup or a nostalgic side project. They’re a real band — tight, inspired, and hungry. Sarasota witnessed something special: the birth of a powerhouse.
If this show is any indication, Close Enemies won’t be playing intimate clubs for long. They’re built for bigger rooms, bigger crowds, and bigger moments. And after Sunday night, Sarasota will be able to say it saw the spark before the wildfire.
The evening was also visited by rock icons Joe Perry, the lead guitarist for Aerosmith, Duane Betts of The Allman Betts Band, Dan Donegan of Disturbed, Jimmy Fadden of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Ed Roland lead singer of Collective Soul.
“For one night, Encore Live felt less like a venue and more like the center
of the rock‑and‑roll universe.”
Close Enemies debut album will be released on March 13th.
For more information
visit
https://closeenemiestheband.com/
It was a great night for all who attended and Sarasota has finally brought back live rock and roll to a local nightclub venue. Special thanks to everyone at Encore Live for a fantastic evening!
*Also special thanks to Shauna O'Donnell, Peter Stroud, Tricia,and the entire Close Enemies band.
CLOSE ENEMIES DEBUT ALBUM
OFFICIAL RELEASE MARCH 13TH
Here's my recent interview with Close Enemies
clisk below to watch the entire interview
https://www.youtube.com/c/InterviewingtheLegends
https://www.classicrockmusicwriter.com
https://www.classicrockhereandnow.com
https://www.musictriedandtrue.com
https://www.rayshashoshow.blogspot.com
https://www.publicityworksagency.com
https://www.podcastics.com/profile/13448-rock-raymond/
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