Today Was Yesterday is on a mission to create timeless music that transcends genres and generations. The aptly-named powerhouse rock duo’s self-titled debut is an imaginative, 10-song collection of prime modern classic rock, featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Alex Lifeson of Rush and Robby Krieger of The Doors as guest guitarists.

“We come from the days when pop musicians weren’t afraid to be good players,” says the band’s drummer, percussionist, and programmer, the LA-based Ty Dennis. “Ty and I’ve played together as sidemen for 25 years, and we’ve always wanted to work together on original music. Today Was Yesterday is a dream come true for us,” shares lead vocalist, primary songwriter, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, pianist, and programmer, the Chicago-based Angelo Barbera.

Today Was Yesterday writes adventurous and smart pop-rock spiritually aligned with NIN, Japan and David Sylvian, Genesis and Peter Gabriel, Tears For Fears, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, and Rush. Its first album features intricate but catchy compositions replete with thrilling virtuosic musical passages, art-rock soundscapes, and meticulous production. Lyrically and conceptually, Today Was Yesterday specialize in the type of metaphorical and poetic lyrics favored by artists such as Genesis, Peter Gabriel, and Rush.

The creative nexus of Today Was Yesterday is Angelo and Ty who met in 1997. They are longtime vets of the rock n’ roll scene with a telepathic musical connection. Angelo has worked with The Motels featuring Martha Davis, Red Square Black, Lita Ford, and, most notably, The Robby Krieger Band and The Doors of the 21st Century. Ty previously played in The Motels featuring Martha Davis, where he met Angelo, and he later replaced the Police’s Stewart Copeland in The Doors of the 21st Century.

Prior to his successful hired gun career, Angelo was a band guy, and he has remained an active songwriter even as his bass playing earned him world-class gigs. Angelo’s song sketches became the basis of Today Was Yesterday’s debut album, though they evolved considerably when Ty added his musicianship and artistic vision.

Initially, Today Was Yesterday was going to have a more conventional lineup presentation. “I tried out lead singers, but, at times, it was comical, like a SNL skit—the LSD, lead singer’s disease, was too much for me,” Angelo says laughing. The pair decided to create as a self-contained unit, self-producing and playing all the instruments with Angelo handling all the lead vocals.

The band is joined on this debut by some very special guests. Over the years, Ty had been in house bands for all-star concerts in which Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson was a part of. In 2022, Ty gave Alex a lift back to his hotel after a rehearsal, and he played him some early versions of a couple Today Was Yesterday songs. Alex was a fan of what he heard and said he would love to play on some of the tracks. “We're honored to have Alex joining us on 6 of the album's 10 songs.”