Shortly after forming Brakes, Hamilton was asked by British Sea Power to play keyboards with them, a position he held for three years.

The touring commitments of Brakes made it impossible for Hamilton to continue playing with British Sea Power, and he amicably left the band in 2006.

[4] Brakes returned to North America in May and June 2007 for a sold-out headline tour of the US and Canada.

Whilst they were on tour, their song "All Night Disco Party" was used in the hit television show Ugly Betty which gained them a wider audience.

Brakes recorded their third studio album, Touchdown, at Chem 19, Hamilton, with Paul Savage (formerly of Glaswegian band The Delgados).