Playing tuneful pop/rock with a dash of punk-influenced energy, Treaty of Paris were formed in Chicago, IL, in late 2004. Launched by former members of popular local acts Saraphine and Empyrean, the group originally consisted of Mike Chorvat on lead vocals and guitar, Dan Wade and Phil Kosch on guitars, Brandon Capetillo on bass, and Scott Hoeft on drums. Before the bandmembers had settled on a name, they were asked to join the bill for a \"secret\" show, and came up with Treaty of Paris as a gag handle to use for the evening. However, the band went over well enough that the name stuck, and Treaty of Paris began aggressively promoting themselves with the new moniker. After extensive local gigging and touring along the East Coast, Hoeft left the group and Treaty of Paris welcomed new drummer Chris Insidioso. The new lineup released an EP, Behind Our Calm Demeanors, in the fall of 2005, and began receiving airplay on commercial radio in Chicago, including Q101 and 94.7 The Zone. After strong regional sales for the EP, Treaty of Paris were signed to Airport Tapes and Records, a new independent label launched by Andrew McMahon of Something Corporate.