Tone Deaf Records owner plays in-store show with his own band

Ritual Cross, the hardcore group led by shop owner Tony Assimos, will perform at Tone Deaf Records this weekend.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Tone Deaf Records in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood has become known for hosting great in-store performances, and this Saturday the shop's owner, Tony Assimos, will take the stage with his own band, Ritual Cross. Assimos started the hardcore group a few years ago with some regular Tone Deaf customers, and the band has since recorded two releases, including an EP earlier this month that responds to the genocide in Gaza. Ritual Cross will be joined by fellow local acts Flesh Commodity and Leadburner for the free in-store show.

Why it matters

The in-store performance highlights the close-knit community that has formed around Tone Deaf Records, with the shop owner himself being an active participant in the local music scene. It also demonstrates how independent record stores can foster the growth of grassroots musical projects, providing a platform for emerging artists.

The details

Assimos traces Ritual Cross's origins to a conversation he had a few years ago with two regular Tone Deaf customers, Nick Bethune and David Anthony. The three of them started jamming together and recruited drummer Nevin Peters and vocalist Nick Gardner to round out the lineup. Ritual Cross recorded 10 songs with engineer Dylan Piskula, releasing half of them on their self-titled debut in 2025 and the other half on the new EP II earlier this month.

  • Ritual Cross will perform at Tone Deaf Records on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • The band will also open for the reunited 80s Japanese hardcore group Gudon at Casa Cafe on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

The players

Tony Assimos

The owner of Tone Deaf Records and the guitarist and co-founder of the hardcore band Ritual Cross.

Ritual Cross

A hardcore band formed by Tone Deaf Records owner Tony Assimos and some of the shop's regular customers, including Nick Bethune, David Anthony, and Nevin Peters.

Flesh Commodity

A local band that will be opening for Ritual Cross at the Tone Deaf Records in-store show.

Leadburner

A local band that will be opening for Ritual Cross at the Tone Deaf Records in-store show.

Gudon

A reunited 80s Japanese hardcore group that Ritual Cross will be opening for at a show in May 2026.

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What they’re saying

“We all listen to basically the same kind of music, which is really great. It's hard to find people that all have the same interest that we do. We get together every week, practice, make up new songs, try and get shows. We're always laughing at each other and having a good time, so it's more about the fun than anything else.”

— Tony Assimos, Tone Deaf Records owner and Ritual Cross guitarist (Chicago Reader)

What’s next

Ritual Cross will open for the reunited 80s Japanese hardcore group Gudon at Casa Cafe on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

The takeaway

The in-store performance at Tone Deaf Records showcases the vibrant local music community that has formed around the independent record store, with the shop owner himself being an active participant. It demonstrates how these kinds of community hubs can foster the growth of grassroots musical projects and provide a platform for emerging artists.