The Cliks are a Canadian rock band, consisting of Lucas Silveira (vocalist/guitarist), Jen Benton (bass), and Morgan Doctor (drums). Their major label debut album, Snakehouse was released on April 24, 2007 by Warner Music in Canada and Tommy Boy Records in the United States.

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History

In an In The Life interview, Silveira shared that the bands name derived from two ideas; using The like iconic bands The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and Cliks as a portmanteau of the slang terms clit and cocks . A different Cliks lineup, consisting of Silveira, bassist Ezri Kaysen and drummer Heidi Chan, released an eponymous debut album in 2004. In Toronto's NOW , reviewer Sarah Liss described the band's music as "what might happen if Chrissie Hynde and the Murmurs' Leisha Hailey fell in love, got Bowie to help out with insemination and gave birth to an indie rock love child." ^[1]

However, the original lineup broke up in 2005. ^[2] This precipitated a difficult period for lead singer and guitarist Lucas Silveira:

“	I was in a six-and-a-half year relationship that came to a really, really messy end. After the breakup, both of my band members quit. It was hard to take, because I was falling back on the music to take me to a place where I could keep myself going. My father had a stroke. My grandmother died. A friend of mine got rediagnosed with cancer after being cancer-free for four months. It was just one thing after another. I also started coming to terms with a lot of identity issues, being transgendered and all this stuff. I had a huge breakdown and decided I was either going to get through it or I wasn't.	”

The first album predated Silveira's gender transition. Silveira later worked with Morgan Doctor and Jordan B. Wright to record Snakehouse . Wright left the band shortly after the album was completed and was replaced by Benton on bass. Martinez was added as the second guitarist.

The entire band are out members of the LGBT community. Silveira is a transman, and both Benton and Doctor identify as queer. ^[3]

The Cliks have been compared to the likes of David Bowie and the White Stripes with the release of their first album, Snakehouse . Native to Toronto, they are the first transgender band to be signed with a major record label, with lead singer Silveira working his experiences with identity as a transman into his music. The “emotional and guitar-driven” album features the single "Oh Yeah" and a cover of Justin Timberlake’s "Cry Me a River".

On October 21, 2008, The Cliks announced on their Myspace blog that Nina Martinez was no longer in the group. No explanation as to why was given or that they planned on replacing her at the time being. All that was said was that they are concentrating mainly on the new album and that all is going "extremely well at the studio."

In March 2009, it was reported that the band's next album is to be titled Dirty King and is to be released on June 23. It is being produced by Sylvia Massy. ^[4]

Cultural impact

The Cliks were the first band with an openly transgender male leader signed by a major record label, Tommy Boy Entertainment. Rosie Lopez, head of A&R of Tommy Boy says that "It’s the music, not Silveira’s gender that will draw in the most dedicated listeners."

Silveira understands the link the media has made with his transgender identity and the band’s music, stating that he knows he is a pioneer and eventually the novelty of his gender identity will wear off. ^[5] He has said that he wants to be seen first and foremost as a musician rather than an identity spokesman:

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The band faces the challenge of being labeled a “queer band” and having their audience being limited to only those members who fit that label. It is a difficult challenge to take on in an industry that is dominated by labeling types of music and artists. However, his identity plays a part into their image in the media, and perhaps his unique vocal styling. In his transition from female to male he has said that he sacrificed the use of male hormones to maintain his signing voice, creating a distinct vocal sound and range.

Currently, The Cliks’ major exposure has been with media outlets related to the GLBQT community, including MTV's gay-oriented Logo Network, The L Word soundtrack, and touring in 2008 with Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Tour as well as appearances at numerous Pride festivals. However, Lopez has also explained that the label is careful not to market them solely as a "transgender band":

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They also received exposure when touring with The Cult in 2008, opening them up to a more mainstream, not necessarily queer-identified audience.

True Colors

During the summer of 2007 The Cliks were a part of the multi-artist True Colors Tour ^[6], which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada. The tour, sponsored by the Logo channel, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho and headlined by Cyndi Lauper, the tour also included Debbie Harry, The Gossip, Rufus Wainwright, The Dresden Dolls, The MisShapes, Erasure and other special guests. Profits from the tour benefited the Human Rights Campaign.

The Cliks appeared again as part of True Colors Tour 2008, along with Cyndi Lauper, The B-52's, Tegan and Sara, and other special guests.

Discography

;Albums

• The Cliks (2004)
• Snakehouse (2007)
• Dirty King (2009)

;Singles

• "Oh Yeah" (2007)
• "Eyes In the Back of My Head" (2007)
• "Complicated" (2007)
• "My Heroes (SUV)" (2008)
• (2009)

References

1. "No-Shtick Cliks: Garage Popsters Avoid Gay Clichés", ''NOW'', June 24, 2004.
2. Ben Rayner, "A band that Cliks". ''Toronto Star'', May 24, 2007.
3. ''The Rawside of The Cliks'' documentary, November 4, 2008
4. 'Be yourself': Cliks frontman wants to lead queer youth by example
5. "Transgender leader of Cliks makes statement". MSNBC.com, July 9, 2007.
6. True Colors Tour