A promotional group portrait of the rock band Close Enemies, featuring legendary Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton. The five band members stand in a row outdoors against an industrial backdrop of a weathered stone ledge, a red brick wall, and a dark brown garage door. — Close Enemies, which plays Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo, Florida on Jan. 23, 2026. Credit: Photo by Eduardo Andrade

We’re not banking on there being another Aerosmith gig in Tampa Bay, but after this Friday, three-fifths of the main band will have been to town over the course of the last year.

Founding bassist Tom Hamilton and his new band Close Enemies—featuring members of The Babys and Sheryl Crow’s band respectively—are set to release their self-titled debut album in March. While much of this Largo gig will lean on new material, if you can indulge in that first, there have been some ‘Aero cuts played near the end of the show. Consider it an electric build-up to what longtime Blue Army members are really there for, and remember that “Love In An Elevator” was brand-new once upon a time. Local twin-brother rock band Kamenar opens.

Before his arrival, Hamilton told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about the best gig he ever saw. Read his full comment below.

Man, I’m finding it really hard to think of one concert that propelled me into a lifetime of rock. Joe and I used to meet at a club in Boston called The Boston Tea Party when we were teenagers. Our favorite band was Fleetwood Mac. They were a much different band than the one that later became huge. Back then, they were a rockin’ blues band. They totally tore the place apart.

Another time, I was by myself, and I went to a club to see Cream. When I got there, I was amazed to see there were fewer than 50 or so people there. I sat down on the floor and leaned against a post and had a perfect view of the stage, which was only about thirty feet away. It was the first time I saw Marshall amps. I couldn’t believe how big they were. The guys in the band had to reach up to use the controls! That was an amazing show, but they did something a lot of bands did back then. Instead of playing the songs pretty much the way they were on the record, they would jam on and on. It was considered very uncool to play your songs like they were on the record. You had to make a show of how well you could improvise. Fine, but after about 15 minutes, I was bored and ready for the next song.

Another time, at the Tea Party, I saw a band called Spirit. They were one of my favorite bands. They had a hit song called ‘I Got a Line on You.’ I remember watching them and noticing their bass player who was kind of tall and thin, and had cool red velvet pants. But I distinctly remember watching them and thinking ‘I could do that.’ -Tom Hamilton, Aerosmith/Close Enemies

Tickets to see Close Enemies featuring Tom Hamilton at Largo’s Central Park Performing Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 23 are still available and start at $25.