They take their name from a lyric in "I Am the Walrus", by The Beatles: "Yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog's eye".
Ty Tabor (King's X) was originally approached to play guitar for the group, but was unable to due to the King's X touring schedule.
Conceived as more of a project than a band, they have only performed a total of five times: twice in 2003 (May 17 at Upper Montclair, New Jersey and May 18 at B.B. King's Blues Club, New York), and three times in 2011. Due to scheduling conflicts, Matt Bissonette was unable to play with the band in 2011, and thus was replaced by Kasim Sulton.
Additional players
Bert Baldwin - Keyboards/Percussion/Samples
Discography
One Night In New York City (2CD/DVD) (2005) - Special features include rehearsal footage and audio commentary from Mike and Howard Portnoy.
One More Night In New York City (2CD/DVD) (2011)
Nowhere Man
Yellow Matter Custard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sitting in his nowhere land,
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere man, the world is at your command.
He's as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere man can you see me at all?
Nowhere man, don't worry,
Take your time, don't hurry,
Leave it all 'till somebody else
Lends you a hand.
Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man, please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere man, the world is at your command.
He's a real nowhere man,
Sitting in his nowhere land,
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
Yellow Matter Custard's song "Nowhere Man" is a clear reflection of the modern man who is lost, clueless and has no direction in life. The lyrics describe a man who is stuck in a "nowhere land" and is making all of his plans for nobody. He has no point of view and is unaware of his destination, much like many people in today's society. The line "Isn't he a bit like you and me?" is a direct call-out to the listener to self-reflect and consider if they are also a nowhere man.
The song's message is hopeful and empowering, as it encourages the nowhere man to open his eyes and see the world around him. The line "Nowhere man, please listen, you don't know what you're missing" is a reminder that the world is full of opportunities and experiences that the nowhere man is currently missing out on. The song encourages the nowhere man to take his time, not to worry, and to wait until someone can lend him a hand. The world is at his command, and he needs to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him.
Yellow Matter Custard's "Nowhere Man" was released in 2003 by the Beatles tribute band, featuring Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Paul Gilbert, and Kasim Sulton. The song was originally released by The Beatles in 1965 on their album Rubber Soul.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a real nowhere man,
He has no direction in life and feels lost.
Sitting in his nowhere land,
He is stuck in a place without knowing where to go next.
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
He keeps making plans but has no one to share them with.
Doesn't have a point of view,
He has no clear vision or perspective.
Knows not where he's going to,
He has no idea where his life is headed.
Isn't he a bit like you and me?
We all feel lost and directionless at times.
Nowhere man, please listen,
Advice to the nowhere man to pay attention.
You don't know what you're missing,
There is something missing in his life.
Nowhere man, the world is at your command.
He has the power to change his life and take control.
He's as blind as he can be,
He is intentionally ignoring the realities of life.
Just sees what he wants to see,
He is only focusing on the positive aspects of life.
Nowhere man can you see me at all?
He is feeling invisible and unnoticed.
Nowhere man, don't worry,
Advice to stop worrying and stressing.
Take your time, don't hurry,
He should slow down and take time to think things through.
Leave it all 'til somebody else
Lends you a hand.
He should wait until someone helps him instead of trying to do everything alone.
He's a real nowhere man,
Reiteration of his situation.
Sitting in his nowhere land,
Reiteration of his situation.
Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody.
Reiteration of his situation.
Writer(s): J. LENNON, P. MCCARTNEY
Contributed by Ellie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Brammy007a
"1964 as the Beatles" is the best Beatles recreation band.... but these guys are the BEST Beatles tribute band...... Gilbert is great beyond words.
@paulwall1981
This a gr8 Beatles song and this is a gr8 version of said song. Love the fact that Mike dose the lead vocals as he dose not have a bad voice. Brilliant song brilliant covers band.
@Mooseboy08
I'm really glad to see that they flubbed up some of the lyrics- my band has covered this song before, and we always flubbed the lyrics in the same place. The arrangement for this song is off the beaten track.
@Slipperman2112
Gracias a este tributo que escucho a Beatles, grande portnoy!!
@Qserigala
Your A great constant Drum and singing...Nowhere man mike Portnoy...very2 Like this!!"...
@somberdrums
wow! those are tough harmonies! nice.
@cq9702
A love how "metalldragon" uploaded this. Good video man!
@helloitsnicko
It's great hearing Portnoy play some simple beats like this.. :D
@elidee
wow... i love it!!!
@Gamedic37054
the whole winehouse reference in the name should be a dead giveaway that this person has no idea that the stones did not write this wonderful tune. possibly my fave beatles tune.