Music & Mayhem moves to new location

The store once known as Midwest Discount Knives has a new name and a new prerogative — musical instruments.

Now known as Music & Mayhem, the store has relocated to 3872 W. Third St.

“Guys tend to think of it as the best of both worlds,” owner Steve Jessie said. “We still sell knives, but we’re now expanding to sell instruments too.”

Jessie said he has been playing the guitar and writing songs for more than 30 years.
“Music has always been my passion,” he said. “I always wanted to do something to help future generations create an interest too.”

It is that passion along with an expired lease that led him to finally make the move and expand the store’s selection. He said he has high hopes for his store.

“I always try to promote a generally fun atmosphere — one that is hopefully an asset to the community,” he said.

Music & Mayhem is also currently looking to hire a staff that has a strong background in music.

“I want to be able to go out of my way for customers by educating them on what to look for when buying a guitar, bass or drum,” Jessie said.

Jessie said he is a strong advocate when it comes to music education, and Music & Mayhem looks to support the cause by offering music lessons.

“I believe people should learn to read music,” he said. “There’s a difference in teaching someone to play a song and then really giving them the knowledge to do so.”

Freshman Michael Hoffman, who is majoring in recording arts, said he also believes education can be an important factor in composition.

“Songwriting is still a creative outlet whether you know theory or not,” Hoffman said. “However, with that knowledge comes improvement. Knowledge definitely makes the music more interesting.”

Hoffman, who said he has been writing songs and playing guitar for almost nine years, said the ability to read and write music is like learning a universal language.

“With it, you can communicate with someone who doesn’t even speak the same language simply through your music,” Hoffman said.

Jessie said he also hopes Music & Mayhem will be a venue for young artists, such as Hoffman, to come and play.

“I really want Wednesday nights to be dedicated to a session for songwriters,” Jessie said.
However, Hoffman said he believes the unique store might push away some customers, and the store might be better if it narrowed its focus.

“If you think about it, if people want to play guitar, they want to go somewhere that focuses on only music,” Hoffman said. “I feel like the split concentration is like doing two things half way.”

Though Jessie has a vast experience in both fields, he said he does hope to eventually make Music & Mayhem a music-only store.

“I really like this community, and I want to stay here,” Jessie said.

With an additional store in Nashville, Ind., Jessie said he is considering moving all of the knives to the second location. For now, he encourages everyone to visit the current store.

“People should go ahead and check it out,” Hoffman said. “I mean you can’t really judge anything until you’ve been there.”