A Dirty Dozen with TOM HAMILTON from GO NOVA – October 2025
According to a recent press release: “International rock trio GO NOVA are kicking down the doors with their high voltage debut single, “Feed Me,” out now. Blending ‘60s British Invasion swagger, American garage punk grit, and the thunder of early ‘70s hard rock, Go Nova channel the raw electricity of The Yardbirds, The Clash, and Led Zeppelin through a modern lens that nods to The Hives, Jack White and Rival Sons. Formed in New York City in 2025, GO NOVA is a ferocious new power trio blending British Invasion Beat Boom, American Garage, Punk, and early ’70s Hard Rock into a high-octane sonic assault. Fronted by Liverpool-born songwriter and guitarist Tommy—whose sharp lyrics cut through global corruption and personal heartbreak—the band channels the spirit of The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, and The Clash with the modern edge of Jack White, The Hives, and Rival Sons. Tommy is joined by Tomi, a NYC-based, Japanese-born drummer and cult horror film actress with a love for British Glam Rock and Swinging London fashion, and Joany, a classically trained multi-instrumentalist from Singapore who also holds down the low end in the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band Lez Zeppelin.” We get frontman Tom to discuss new music, influences, and more…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
I was inspired to write “Feed Me” after reading about how a local foodbank in Liverpool didn’t have enough supplies to feed the growing number of families who were desperately looking for support. The music is angry and ferocious, matched by lyrics that take the part of everything greedy in the world. This is a deeply personal vision of the corporate monster that is eating up the world. Behind the lyrics themselves this is a plea to end food poverty, genocide and the race to destroy our planet.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
I went to a local music festival when I was about ten and saw a Beatles tribute band. I loved the sound and then trawled through my Dad’s record collection, luckily he is a big Fab Four fan. My school offered guitar lessons and I jumped at the chance to learn how to play. I used to practice all the time up in the attic of our house in Carlisle, sometimes until my fingers bled.
3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?
That’s a hard one. I’m a huge Beatles fan and play John Lennon in a number of tribute bands, so he is a real hero of mine. As a vocalist, nobody tops Steve Marriott of The Small Faces and Humble Pie in my opinion. The best live shows I’ve seen are by The Hives. I’ve seen them several times and am off to Oslo soon to see them again. They are playing on my birthday!
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?
It would have to be McCartney. My own songwriting tends to be on the rockier side and Paul would offer a great balance. My girlfriend gave him her phone number when he presided at her graduation from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts earlier this year, so maybe we will get together?
5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?
I pound the streets and parks of Liverpool. Running is definitely good for the soul. I wasn’t able to run for a while as I had developed a back injury. It’s all sorted now and I’m really enjoying getting out again. I support Arsenal FC and play the FIFA football game when relaxing at home. The odd game of pool goes down well too.
6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?
It’s a 21st century take on the Rock genre from it’s Rock n Roll origins via the British Beat boom, and on to classic Rock and beyond to Punk. I respect every reviewer but I did think the Black Sabbath analogy was a little wide of the mark.
7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
We are a brand new band and I’m separated from the others by a rather large pond. So, we haven’t quite got to the cosy touring thing yet. I do like to cook, will probably be the last one to get the drinks in and will run a mile from an acoustic jam session.
8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?
I’ve met a few stars such as Elvis Costello, Mickey Dolenz, Wilko Johnson, The Stranglers and Eddie and the Hot Rods, but the time I was most starstruck was when I bumped into John Cooper Clarke, an English Punk poet. He was amazingly friendly and I was so nervous I couldn’t remember any of his best lines.
9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?
For me it’s two things; the camaraderie of being in a band and then the wave of energy you get from connecting with an audience. My dream job would be midfield maestro for Arsenal FC.
10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?
Honestly, the fewer questions I’m asked the happier I am! You always get “who are you influenced by” and I could write an essay on that. Actually, I think I did once.
11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?
My first band – The 45s, were offered a publishing contract with Primary Wave in New York, we actually had signed it. But, as we were only 15 and 16 at the time parents had to sign it too and the parents of the rest of the band backed down as they wanted the lads to continue with school. I was furious and have never forgave them. The other sliding door was when my band Little Triggers were invited to take part in the televised finals of a new Rock show called No Cover. We should have spent two weeks in Hollywood playing for judges such as Alice Cooper and Lzzy Hale but Covid restrictions at the time meant we couldn’t go. These things toughen you up though.
12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
For the sheer excitement at being in on the start of something that changed the world of popular music for ever, it has to be the recording sessions for the first Beatles LP, released with the title of Please Please Me in the UK. The sessions, all recorded live, took place from September 62 to February 63 at the Abbey Road studios.
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Category: Interviews