Yes, singer Lucas Silveira of The Cliks is a transgendered man.
Born Lillia Silveira, Lucas long identified as a lesbian, but in 2005 a wave of personal struggles (including a bad breakup and his father’s illness) contributed to him accepting that he was transgendered.
Silveira’s coming out heavily influenced The Cliks’ defiant, this-is-me-whether-you-like-it-or-not new album, “Snakehouse.” The collection of guitar-driven stomach-churners is amplified by his fiery vocals and a sense that he’s not willing to stay silent anymore.
And plenty of people are listening. Among them is Cyndi Lauper, who snagged The Cliks to open a few dates on the True Colors Tour. In fact, Lauper liked them so much she’s now bringing them along on three additional tour dates. That’s good for this up-and-coming Canadian band, but bad for Chicago fans hoping to see them sooner rather than later — the longer-than-expected run with True Colors means they will reschedule Monday’s show at Martyrs’.
En route from L.A. to Las Vegas, Silveira told us about embracing his identity and why a Cliks concert may make you question your sexuality.
Are you tired of people making your transgendered issues the focus of the Cliks?
There are things that are unavoidable about being a rock musician and being a songwriter and putting yourself out there that people are going to hook on to as being “your hook.” I think with this band, people get interested and want to talk about the transgendered issue because of the fact that it’s something that’s not really talked about, and it’s … easy to go into a story and get people’s attention. Because it’s different.
I don’t really have a problem with people talking about the fact that I’m transgendered because I think that at the end of the day, the music is what’s going to hold everything up. I’ve read everything from people thinking that it’s gimmicky — which I think makes the writer look foolish — [to], “So this person is trans, who [cares]? ‘Cause this album rocks.”
How did the band’s sound change after you came out?
What essentially happened was [the same thing that happens with] anyone in life when you come to terms with who you are and your identity. There’s a personal freedom that you get from that, and I think that it comes through whether you’re a musician or a banker. There’s just something about the way you express yourself that’s more in touch with a part of yourself, with who you are.
I’ve heard the band is approached by gay men, straight women and lesbians. Is that overwhelming?
No, it’s not overwhelming. It’s really cool. It’s kind of funny actually. [Guitarist Nina Martinez] gets a lot of attention from gay men, and it’s really funny ’cause we’re trying to pinpoint it. “What is this? What is it that gay dudes want Nina?” We were talking about it, just joking around, because when we went to Cambridge [this guy] said, “You know, you guys really make me kinda question my sexuality.” And we thought it was really funny, and we started making jokes that we should put on a poster of our live show, “Warning: may question your sexuality after show.”
You also say your shows have a “rock ‘n’ roll sexual energy.” What gives that impression?
I don’t know, man. I think part of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s all about sexiness and sensuality. To see people like Prince for example. There are numerous people who put their sexual energy on stage. It’s a freedom that you get in performance. I think that we just exploit that freedom and go with it.
Is your sexual energy on the level of Prince?
I don’t think anybody’s sexual energy is on the level of Prince. I think he kind of exudes it when he’s just walking. He just is sexy. I don’t think we’re at that point just yet … . Rock ‘n’ roll is sexy, man. You could put it as many ways as you want it, but if you ask any dude why’d you get into music, first they’ll say “for the love” and then they’ll say “for the girls.”
The Cliks
Monday’s show at Martyrs’ (3855 N. Lincoln Ave.) has been rescheduled. A new date has not yet been announced; check metromix.com for updates.
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MPAIS@TRIBUNE.COM
