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The Cliks

'Gay Band?' NO. 'Rock N' Roll Band?' You Godamned Right. Now listen up!
By: Gian Erguiza - - March 28th, 2008 - 1:21 pm PST



These rockers are no joke. With an enigmatic frontman and a pummeling rhythm section, the cliks are an undeniable force in today's world of rock music. Fierce deliveries, expressive lyrics and songs that make you want to cry, get angry, or rebel, the cliks have crafted their own sound unlike no other. We got a moment to talk with Lucas Silveira about songwriting, the shift in the music industry and what the biggest misconception is about the cliks.

Hey Lucas, can you please give our readers a quick history lesson about the band's humble beginnings and how The Cliks came about?

I started the band in 2004 and am the only remaining original member. We recorded one self-titled CD independantly, as in I paid for everything myself and promoted and managed the band all myself. When the other 2 members left, I, by chance was lucky enough to get Morgan Doctor to play drums in the band. Morgan is an extremely revered and wanted drummer in the Toronto area. She liked the music so she was in. At that point, we also had a bass player named Jordan who ended up leaving the band soon after "Snakehouse" was released. We ended up adding a second guitar player for touring, Nina Martinez, to add to the sound, kept her and then added Jen Benton on bass.

Now after a little tour on your own, you guys are going to be opening up for The Cult and I'm pretty sure that you guys are way excited about that, hell, I know I am! What are you guys hoping to accomplish by opening up for the Cult and how excited are you guys about the whole adventure?

Well, we are very excited as we are all big fans but really the most exciting part is to be able to play to bigger audiences and to audiences we would never be exposed to in the small tours we do on our own.

"Snakehouse," which came out April of last year, is one hell of a record. Have you guys accomplished what you guys intended to accomplish with the record and how much fun is it to be playing these songs in front of potential new fans and your beloved fans alike?

I think that "Snakehouse" has definately served us well. We've come such a long way in the last year since it's release and accomplished so much. And it's still working for us now. We always love playing to new audiences because it gives the songs that new energy and life you need to be able to perform them over and over. New and eager audiences can make playing a song that you've played over 2000 times seem like the first time you play it. It's amazing.

What is the song writing process like for you guys? Do a lot of songs end up on the cutting room floor? Any writer's block moments?

For "Snakehouse", I wrote all the songs and then brought them into the band and they added they're flavour which is essential in the sound of what makes us who we are. As far as songs on the cutting room floor, yes, that happens. I really think that being a good artist is knowing when to say "sorry song, but you just can't make the cut" You end up playing it for your friends and yourself but not album worthy.

I think I get complete writers block on the road and it really isn't a block per se, it's more, I can't find a moment to myself to sit down and actually reflect on anything that's going on because it's a go go go lifestyle.

When I heard what you guys did to "Cry Me a River," I actually thought it was a pretty darn good cover. What was the hardest thing to capture on record about that song?

Hmm....not sure if I felt I had a hard time capturing anything but I do feel like we certainly brought out more of the anger in it.

Now are you guys planning to shoot any live performances anytime soon or a live DVD to supplement "Snakehouse?" Bet your fans would love it!

I'm sure this will happen in the future. For now, we sell a low quality bootleg of a show we did in Paris that a fan filmed, edited and sent to us (with permission!). It was really cool.

Tell me guys, what is the biggest misconception about The Cliks?

I think it would have to be that we're a "gay band".

We're just a fucking band. Hands down. That's like saying ACDC is a straight band every time you write about them. It's condescending and a really narrow way of looking at music.

Let's talk about the bad nights. Yeah those nights were nothing goes right and everything is wrong. What do you guys consider to be a bad night and how do you guys deal with a bad night?

Oh there are so many variations to this but bad sound on stage can make for a bad night, or not getting the wine you asked for on your rider, or my voice dying on tour. That sucks big time.

The Internet has played a major role in the shift of the music system and how it works. Do you guys feel like you have more control or less control of your music and how it's released?

In one sense there is more control because there are so many vehicles for music on the internet but at the same time, there is downloading that isn't controlled and in that sense there isn't much control of it.

I think the biggest downer about the digital downloading revolution is the way people perceive music these days as being so disposable. Also, the concept of an "album" is a losing battle. Everyone is stuck on individual songs. I find it really sad actually.

Truthfully, I don't give that stuff much thought because I just put it in the hands of the people who know how to do it and I'll do what I do, which is make the music.

While we're on the subject of Internet, what are you guys' thoughts on the current digital revolution of downloading music for free? What do you guys think are the ups and downs of the digital downloading revolution?

I think the ups are that indie bands get their music heard around the world by people who might have never heard them before so it's a good tool to grow fan bases and get people out to shows. The down is always the obvious, the people who are creating the music don't get the mula they're suppose to.

I think the biggest downer about the digital downloading revolution is the way people perceive music these days as being so disposable. Also, the concept of an "album" is a losing battle. Everyone is stuck on individual songs. I find it really sad actually.

Do you guys ever pay any attention to the radio or the charts?

Being in a van on tour completely cuts you off from things like radio so, no, not really.

With all of the music around these days, which artist/artists inspire you guys or inspire a competitive fire in you guys? Any recommends?

Myself, I am a huge Amy Winehouse fan and really, I've been finding most of my inspiration in r & b and hip hop artists these days. I find the rock n' roll scene is lacking in soulfulness. It all seems quite bland and un-melodic. I love me some great beats and soulful singing.

Aside from the tour with the Cult this year, what else can we expect from you guys in 2008?

We will also be on tour again with True Colors this year. Then we're taking a bit of a break and going back into the recording studio to do our next album.

Any additional comments or shout-outs?

Wuss up moms?



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