“I really miss the integrity that the blues had in the past. I’m not saying it isn’t still present today, but I think it’s harder to come across. I’m very hopeful for the future of the blues because there are a lot of younger musicians coming up who are, in fact, keeping the integrity of the blues alive.”

Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch: Blues Cut

Born in 1997 in St. Louis Missouri, Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch started playing guitar at the age of 11. By the age of 12, he took a serious interest in blues and started studying the masters such as Albert King, B.B. King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. At the age of 16 he was taken in and mentored by local blues legend Big George Brock and quickly became Big George’s lead guitar player. Matt learned the meaning of the blues and where the music came from first hand from a sharecropper out of Grenada, Mississippi. After performing at many national blues festivals across the country with Big George, Matt quickly became a seasoned veteran at an early age. Matt has had his own band since the age of 16 playing all the local blues clubs and festivals in St Louis, Missouri and Illinois. At the age of 18, Matt started attending Webster University as a Jazz Performance major.

(Photo: Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch)

In October of 2018, Matt released his debut album Furious Strike at the age of 20.  Furious. Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch has a brand-new album entitled Blues Cut Like Glass, releasing in January 2025. Matt wrote and arranged all songs and horns on this album, and the Michael Burks rhythm section makes a special appearance on several songs. The rhythm section includes Chuck “Popcorn” Louden (Buddy Miles, Johnny Taylor, Lucky Peterson) on drums, Wayne Sharp on B3 Organ and John Davies on bass. Also appearing are Gus Thornton on bass (Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnnie Johnson), Taylor Streiff (Nick Moss) on organ, and Sean “Mack” McDonald (ZZ Ward) on lead guitar and organ. With the ability of an old, seasoned professional, Matt can bring a fierce show to any stage that he plays on. When you see “The Rattlesnake” on stage you can see and feel the intensity of his passion channeling through him and into the crowd.

interview by Michael Limnios                    Special Thanks: Frank Roszak Promotions

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

Something I’ve learned about myself is that my emotions take over whenever I’m playing the blues. From a very young age, the blues has always been a way for me to express how I was feeling. The blues is something that I can depend on when all else fails.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What characterize your music philosophy?

My sound is best described as pure St. Louis blues with a hint of moderness. It is also similar to the sound of the late, great Michael Burks. I believe that everyone has the ability to make great music. It is one of the most natural things on this planet and it’s also something we encounter everyday of our lives whether we know it or not.

Why do you think that St. Louis Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

St. Louis has some of the best blues fans in the world. They are so devoted and supportive of the music and its artists, both locally and nationally. There is also a very rich history of the blues here in St. Louis that helps drive this community and its legacy even more.

“Something I’ve learned about myself is that my emotions take over whenever I’m playing the blues. From a very young age, the blues has always been a way for me to express how I was feeling. The blues is something that I can depend on when all else fails.” (Photo Matt Lesch and Big George Brock)

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Some of the most important experiences in my career so far include meeting Mississippi blues legend Big George Brock, with whom I played with for 7 years, and of course my blues brothers Marquise Knox and Dylan Triplett. Throughout my career, so far, I’ve had people tell me, “just be you.” Even though it may not sound like much I always keep this phrase in mind when doing anything.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

When we were recording this album (Blues Cut Like Glass), I had the Michael Burks band fly in to record on a few of the tracks with me. Being a Michael Burks fan myself, that is something that I will never forget and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to record and work with them.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I really miss the integrity that the blues had in the past. I’m not saying it isn’t still present today, but I think it’s harder to come across. I’m very hopeful for the future of the blues because there are a lot of younger musicians coming up who are, in fact, keeping the integrity of the blues alive. People like my friends Sean “Mack” McDonald, Stephen Hull, and Dylan Triplett to name a few.

What is the impact of Blues aon the racial and socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I feel that it is very important to acknowledge that blues music is a part of black culture. This tends to be pushed to the side sometimes, but it is the truth, and the blues is nothing but the truth. I hope that people feel the integrity of the blues when they listen to my album. Even though there are some songs that have a more modern sound, I feel that it also resembles the sounds of classic blues.

”St. Louis has some of the best blues fans in the world. They are so devoted and supportive of the music and its artists, both locally and nationally. There is also a very rich history of the blues here in St. Louis that helps drive this community and its legacy even more.”

(Photo: Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

One of the most important things that I’ve learned in my career as a musician so far is to play what the gig calls for. In other words, if you are playing a straight blues gig then don’t get on stage playing nothing but jazz licks. Play the music that you are being hired to play. Another thing I’ve learned is to be fully aware of everything that is happening on that stage, both musically and physically. Being able to hear everything that the band is playing will be a huge advantage for a musician.

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