Mat Lewis

Thanks for being a part of my life Mat. You were the only person I could ever really share my absolute love of ALL genres of music with and your knowledge was second to none. I remember all the times we had together over many years. I remember the great times in The Sealed Knot and going to gigs and more recently sitting in my garden drinking ale and chilling to great music. I'm so glad I was there for you in the latter stages of your life

Mat, it was a privilege to get to pop by and play your guitars and wind up your neighbour! Also loved chatting about obscure 90s indie and hearing about how you’d seen the lot at the cavern, back when bands would travel to Exeter! You had a great eye for spotting band t-shirts, even if only part of it was visible. Hope you would have enjoyed the music we spun for you yesterday!

RIP Matt.. Had great times with you and you gave a shit about the world..

A very brave man who still smiled at life. My last conversation with him I shared with his parents as it was typical of Mat to find the funny side in everything. It’s 1990, I am 15, with a bad sense of fashion and music taste although to the end I always argue that The Black Crowes and Steve Vai constitutes as good music to which Mat would reply Yes but your brought the Pretty Woman Soundtrack. I work a weekend and holiday job at an Animal Rescue Centre. I met the new person Mat and from then life was a great party. I helped him move into his first shared flat and ended up sleeping in the living room for nearly three years and didn’t go home. Fast forward a few years that included jumping over the 20ft fence to get into Glastonbury, sharing a love of music, having ridiculous drinking challenges, looking after his parents house for six weeks and you get the picture. After years of partying we went our separate ways - Mat went to explore Asia, I went to explore Florida. No arguments, no drama, just different paths in life. We reconnected properly after 20 years and Mat was still the same and told very funny stories about his health troubles. I was able to see Mat shortly before he passed as was due to see him the evening he sadly passed but he sadly lost his fight three hours before I was due to see him. He was loved by many, and everyone is numb that he has gone but