The Cliks
Encyclopedia
The Cliks are a Canadian rock
band consisting of Lucas Silveira
(vocalist/guitarist), Tobi Parks (bass) and Brian Viglione
(drums). The Cliks' major label debut album, Snakehouse
was released on April 24, 2007 by Warner Music
in Canada and by Tommy Boy Records
in the United States
.
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 dick
s. 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."
However, the original lineup broke up in 2005. This precipitated a difficult period for lead singer and guitarist Lucas Silveira:
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 Jen Benton on bass. Martinez was added as the second guitarist.
The breakthrough lineup of the band were all out
members of the LGBT
community. Silveira is a trans man
, Benton and Martinez and Doctor identify as queer
.
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 band with a transgender leader to be signed with a major record label, with lead singer Silveira working his experiences with identity as a trans man
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."
Their third LP, Dirty King
, was released June 23, 2009 and the title track became a moderate hit on Canadian rock
radio
. The album's moderate success led the band to an opening gig for the New York Dolls
on their Spring '09 North American Tour and slots on the Toronto and New Jersey Pride Fesitvals.
On September 1, 2009, in a message posted on The Cliks' official MySpace
page, Silveria said that Morgan Doctor and Jen Benton had decided to leave the band to pursue their own ambitions. Silveria states:
Although no specific information was given on why the girls had decided to abandon the band, one bit of Silveria's post does hint at conflict between the band members: Fans and bloggers have speculated the breakup to be quite acrimonious as Silveria's personal Facebook page no longer includes Doctor or Benton or Martinez as "friends."
On November 8, 2009, in a message posted on The Cliks' official MySpace
page, Silveria announced that Brian Viglione
and Tobi Parks had joined the band.
as a 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. He has said that he wants to be seen first and foremost as a musician rather than an identity spokesman:
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 LGBTQ 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":
They also received exposure when touring with The Cult
in 2008, opening them up to a more mainstream, not necessarily queer-identified audience.
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.
Singles
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
band consisting of Lucas Silveira
Lucas Silveira
Lucas Silveira is the Canadian vocalist/guitarist and songwriter for the rock band The Cliks. He has recently released his first solo effort "MOCKINGBIRD" since founding The Cliks and is currently touring the US and Canada promoting it....
(vocalist/guitarist), Tobi Parks (bass) and Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione is the drummer for The Dresden Dolls. Additionally, he was a prominent member of New York City's cabaret punk orchestra, The WORLD/INFERNO Friendship Society...
(drums). The Cliks' major label debut album, Snakehouse
Snakehouse
Snakehouse is the major label debut album by Canadian rock band The Cliks, released in 2007 on April 24.-Track listing:All songs by Lucas Silveira, except "Cry Me a River" by Tim Mosley, Scott Storch and Justin Timberlake.#"Complicated" - 4:35...
was released on April 24, 2007 by Warner Music
Warner Music Canada
Warner Music Canada is the Canadian division of Warner Music Group. The label previously operated as WEA Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of WEA International, which later changed its name to Warner Music International in 1990. It was founded in 1967 as Warner Reprise Canada Ltd...
in Canada and by Tommy Boy Records
Tommy Boy Records
Tommy Boy Entertainment is an independent record label started in 1981 by Tom Silverman.-History:...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
In an In The LifeIn The Life
In the Life is a gay and lesbian television newsmagazine that is broadcast on PBS. It is one of public television's premiere educational programs and is nearing its 15th season on national broadcast...
interview, Silveira shared that the bands name derived from two ideas; using The like iconic bands The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
and Cliks as a portmanteau of the slang terms clit
Clitoris
The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina. Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not...
and dick
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
s. 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
NOW (magazine)
Now is a free weekly newspaper in Toronto, Canada. It was first printed on September 10, 1981 by Michael Hollett and Alice Klein. Now is an alternative weekly mixing arts and entertainment news with political coverage....
, reviewer Sarah Liss described the band's music as "what might happen if Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
and the Murmurs' Leisha Hailey
Leisha Hailey
Leisha Hailey is an American actress and musician most widely known for playing Alice Pieszecki in the Showtime Networks production The L Word...
fell in love, got Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
to help out with insemination and gave birth to an indie rock love child."
However, the original lineup broke up in 2005. This precipitated a difficult period for lead singer and guitarist Lucas Silveira:
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 Jen Benton on bass. Martinez was added as the second guitarist.
The breakthrough lineup of the band were all out
Out of the Closet
Out of the Closet is a nonprofit chain of thrift stores whose revenues provide medical care for patients with HIV/AIDS. The chain is owned and operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation , a Los Angeles-based global organization that provides medical, preventative, and educational resources for patients...
members of the LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
community. Silveira is a trans man
Trans man
A trans man, transman, trans guy, or FTM is a transgender or transsexual man: a person who was assigned female at birth, but who identifies as male....
, Benton and Martinez and Doctor identify as queer
Queer
Queer is an umbrella term for sexual minorities that are not heterosexual, heteronormative, or gender-binary. In the context of Western identity politics the term also acts as a label setting queer-identifying people apart from discourse, ideologies, and lifestyles that typify mainstream LGBT ...
.
The Cliks have been compared to the likes of David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and the White Stripes with the release of their first album, Snakehouse. Native to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, they are the first band with a transgender leader to be signed with a major record label, with lead singer Silveira working his experiences with identity as a trans man
Trans man
A trans man, transman, trans guy, or FTM is a transgender or transsexual man: a person who was assigned female at birth, but who identifies as male....
into his music. The “emotional and guitar-driven” album features the single "Oh Yeah" and a cover of Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
’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."
Their third LP, Dirty King
Dirty King
Dirty King is the third album by Canadian rock band The Cliks, to be released June 23, 2009 on Warner Music Canada and Tommy Boy Records.The album was produced by Sylvia Massy.-Track listing:# "Haunted"# "Dirty King"# "Not Your Boy"...
, was released June 23, 2009 and the title track became a moderate hit on Canadian rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
. The album's moderate success led the band to an opening gig for the New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
on their Spring '09 North American Tour and slots on the Toronto and New Jersey Pride Fesitvals.
On September 1, 2009, in a message posted on The Cliks' official MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, Silveria said that Morgan Doctor and Jen Benton had decided to leave the band to pursue their own ambitions. Silveria states:
Although no specific information was given on why the girls had decided to abandon the band, one bit of Silveria's post does hint at conflict between the band members: Fans and bloggers have speculated the breakup to be quite acrimonious as Silveria's personal Facebook page no longer includes Doctor or Benton or Martinez as "friends."
On November 8, 2009, in a message posted on The Cliks' official MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page, Silveria announced that Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione
Brian Viglione is the drummer for The Dresden Dolls. Additionally, he was a prominent member of New York City's cabaret punk orchestra, The WORLD/INFERNO Friendship Society...
and Tobi Parks had joined the band.
Cultural impact
The Cliks were the first band with an open trans manTrans man
A trans man, transman, trans guy, or FTM is a transgender or transsexual man: a person who was assigned female at birth, but who identifies as male....
as a 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. He has said that he wants to be seen first and foremost as a musician rather than an identity spokesman:
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 LGBTQ community, including MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's gay-oriented Logo
Logo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...
Network, The L Word
The L Word
The L Word is an American co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Greater Los Angeles, California city of West Hollywood...
soundtrack, and touring in 2008 with Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
’s True Colors Tour
True Colors Tour
The True Colors Tour is an annual music tour created by American pop singer Cyndi Lauper. The tour benefits the Human Rights Campaign and other organizations that provide support to the LGBT community and to the straight friends and family who love them, including PFLAG and the Matthew Shepard...
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":
They also received exposure when touring with The Cult
The Cult
The Cult are a British rock band that was formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in Britain in the mid 1980s as a post-punk band with singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary", before breaking mainstream in the United States in the late 1980s as a hard rock band with singles such as "Love...
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, which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada. The tour, sponsored by the LogoLogo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...
channel, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
and headlined by Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, the tour also included Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for being the lead singer of the punk rock and new wave band Blondie. She has also had success as a solo artist, and in the mid-1990s she performed and recorded as part of The Jazz Passengers...
, The Gossip
The Gossip
Gossip is a three-piece American indie rock band formed in 1999. The band consists of singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie. After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control . A follow-up, Music for...
, Rufus Wainwright
Rufus Wainwright
Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
, The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls
The Dresden Dolls are an American musical duo from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 2000, the group consists of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione...
, The MisShapes
The Misshapes
The Misshapes are a New York City-based DJ trio composed of Canadian-born Geordon Nicol, Leigh Lezark, and Greg Krelenstein. Beginning in 2003, the trio cultivated a large following when they brought to downtown New York City the dance party, "Misshapes". On September 8, 2007, after a successful 4...
, Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
and other special guests. Profits from the tour benefited the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
.
The Cliks appeared again as part of True Colors Tour 2008, along with Cyndi Lauper, The B-52's
The B-52's
The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...
, Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
, and other special guests.
Discography
Albums- The Cliks (2004)
- SnakehouseSnakehouseSnakehouse is the major label debut album by Canadian rock band The Cliks, released in 2007 on April 24.-Track listing:All songs by Lucas Silveira, except "Cry Me a River" by Tim Mosley, Scott Storch and Justin Timberlake.#"Complicated" - 4:35...
(2007) - Dirty KingDirty KingDirty King is the third album by Canadian rock band The Cliks, to be released June 23, 2009 on Warner Music Canada and Tommy Boy Records.The album was produced by Sylvia Massy.-Track listing:# "Haunted"# "Dirty King"# "Not Your Boy"...
(2009)
Singles
- "Oh Yeah" (2007)
- "Eyes In the Back of My Head" (2007)
- "ComplicatedComplicated (The Cliks song)"Complicated" is the third single from The Cliks' debut studio album, Snakehouse. It was released on iTunes on January 30, 2007....
" (2007) - "My Heroes (SUV)" (2008)
- "Dirty King" (2009)
See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Canadian rockCanadian rockCanadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, beginning with American style rock 'n' roll in the mid-20th century. Since then Canada has had a considerable impact on the development of the modern popular music called rock...
- List of bands from Canada
- List of Canadian musicians
- :Category:Canadian musical groups