Treaty of Paris hit the ground running in January 2005, recording demos and playing to sold-out crowds at Schuba’s, Double Door, Metro, and other Chicago and Midwest venues with bands such as Jacks Mannequin, Motion City Soundtrack, Augustana, Cartel, The Spill Canvas, The New Amsterdams, Local H, Sum 41, Rise Against, Lucky Boys Confusion, Lovedrug among others. When not onstage in front of awestruck audiences, the quintet spent time sharpening their songwriting skills, and by March had penned 20 complete songs, 6 of which were recorded for their Behind Our Calm Demeanors EP. The disc showcased Treaty Of Paris' love affair with anthemic, poppy songs and compact arrangements. A self-booked fall tour of the Midwest and east coast followed, and record labels began taking notice of their exponentially growing fan base. In early 2007 the Demeanors EP and a handful of newly recorded acoustic demos were delivered to Jack’s Mannequin/Something Corporate front man Andrew McMahon. Having recently started the imprint ATR (Airport Tapes and Records), he’d finally found what he’d been looking for: a band with fantastic songs and the work ethic necessary to build a grassroots following in today’s cutthroat indie scene. Their full-length debut, Sweet Dreams, Sucker, is a turbine-powered album that introduces Treaty Of Paris as a band that pens smart, taut arrangements catchy enough to make even the most tone-deaf sing along. The record is everything you’d expect from a band that cites influences ranging from the Beach Boys and Weezer to Jimmy Eat World and Queen: raw-nerved, pop-savvy and filled with one sumptuous hook after another.

Phil Kosch, guitarist for Treaty of Paris, conceived Cancel Out Cancer after the death of his father, Fred Kosch, of a brain tumor earlier this year. His bandmates, several of whom also had watched family members battle cancer, were immediately supportive of Phil’s idea. A longtime music fan who spent many nights watching the band from Metro’s balcony, Fred Kosch had a large part in the band’s very existence, setting in motion the chain of events that would lead to Treaty of Paris’ founding by encouraging his son to move to the city and try to form a band. “He was the first one to get to the show, and the first person to tell all our family members and friends about the concerts I would perform. It was actually him that helped me develop my dreams of being in the music industry,” says Phil. “Now Treaty of Paris has the honor of touring the world, and headlining great venues in Chicago. So without my dad's support I truly believe my life would be completely different and I probably would not be as happy.”

During Fred Kosch’s illness, his family leaned heavily on the American Brain Tumor Association for support and information. “New procedures are being developed, such as a scorpion venom treatment,” says Phil. “I am hoping this event helps raise more money to obtain the ultimate goal and find a cure for cancer.”


Sunday, August 31: Cancel Out Cancer...A Benefit For The American Brain Tumor Association...

TREATY OF PARIS * QUIETDRIVE * COMPANY OF THIEVES * HOUSE OF HEROES * SCOTT SWEENEY

$10 adv. - $12 day of / All Ages / Doors: 5:30PM / Show: 6PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
Metro Box Office in the Official Metro Store (no service fee)Metro website www.metrochicago.com