The Cliks wind their way through New England

Musician Lucas Silveira's life would be perfect fodder for a rock and roll musical. The first incarnation of his band The Cliks was achieving modest success until it all came crashing down in 2006. Silveira went through a bad breakup, the band broke up and, oh yeah - Lucas, who was born Lillia, came out as transgender. Cut to the triumphant final act, with Silveira fronting a newly formed and newly hot incarnation of The Cliks, who've been touring the country with the True Colors Tour and to promote their album Snakehouse. We couldn't wait for The Cliks to hit New England later this week, so we spoke with Lucas by phone while he was enjoying a brief respite from touring.

Q: Did you go back to Toronto for Thanksgiving?
A: Yes. I'm vegetarian so I had a lot of Tofurky. It's awesome, man.

Q: I'm vegetarian, but I'll stick to the sweet potatoes. Your family sounds like the best family ever.
A: They're crazy. Totally supportive.

Q: Were you always musical?
A: Yeah, I've been doing this forever. I used to sing around the house, my dad would sing around the house. My mom loved music and always wanted to put instruments in our hands to amuse her.

: Who's influenced you?
A: There are so many. I think the Beatles are one of the most influential in my life. I love Jeff Buckley. Lately I listen a lot to Amy Winehouse and Bloc Party. I haven't got their latest though, I've been too busy traveling.

Q: It must be tough just having a personal life when you tour all the time.
A: You said it, buddy! The thing about touring is, I feel like two people these days. I'm the person I am on the road, who spends every waking minute of my life with my band mates, and then I'm the person who comes home and tries to find a sense of normalcy. When you're out on the road all you try to do is get grounded, and when you're home you feel ungrounded because you're not on the road. I've talked to Cyndi Lauper and Margaret Cho about this, and asked them if you ever get used to it, and they were like ... nope. [laughs] Thanks for the help! [laughs]

Q: They must have figured it out. Cyndi Lauper has kids and everything.
A: Oh yeah, you do it and it's fine. I guess you get used to the fact that you never feel like you're at home.

Q: But you were in a long term relationship not too long ago, right?
A: I wasn't touring then. I only started touring intensely this year. We've been touring non-stop for this album. It's amazing, every time we go back to a city we seem to have a bigger crowd. So it's working, word is getting out. We're pretty pleased!

Q: Being on the HRC True Colors Tour didn't hurt.
A: That was kind of a strange coincidence thanks to connections with Cyndi Lauper's manager. They were like, "Cyndi Lauper loves them, so let's take them on." It was such an amazing experience.

Q: Were you ever thinking, "I can't believe I'm on the same lineup as all these people?"
A: Yes! We were originally only supposed to play five shows, but for our first show Cyndi went out into the audience to watch us. She came backstage and said, "You guys fucking rock!" So we got added to some extra shows. But probably the highlight was when we came home to Toronto. I'm backstage and Debbie Harry walks up to me from catering with a plate of cookies and asks, "Lucas, a cookie?" What did I do right in my life to have Debbie Harry serving me chocolate chip cookies?

Q: And you're going to be opening for The Cult.
A: That's another surreal situation. When I was a kid, I must have air guitared "She Sells Sanctuary" a gazillion times. I love this band and it's going to be so awesome to be on the road with them.

Q: What are Boston audiences like?
A: I love Boston audiences.

Q: I'm shocked.
A: It's true! The first time we played T.T.'s was the highlight of that tour. We had a really great time. Last time we came around, Brian Viglione from The Dresden Dolls picked us up and played chauffeur. So we've had amazing experiences there.

Q: Well all this success seems deserved. Before Snakehouse, it sounds like you were having just a shitter of a year.
A: Kind of. [laughs] After all is said and done, everything that happened made me the person that I am today. So I'm going to try to remember what I've learned and use it as my strength. Shit in your life builds character. And a really good album, so I can't complain!

Q: Did it all come out on the album?
A: Oh, definitely. I mean, there's probably more. I'm Portuguese, I can go on forever! But the heart of it is in there, and I'm proud of how it turned out. Because the album is about heartbreak and loss, but it's also about hope. It's kind of a balls-to-walls thing.

Q: So the next album will be all hugs and puppies?
A: Oh, no. No! I'm a very cheery, happy person to be around, but I harness the bad energy in my music. I always say, I'd rather write a song about punching somebody in the face than actually do it.

Q: I was looking at some of the press you've been getting lately, and you can play a game: How many sentences before the word trans? It's always in the first paragraph.
A: Of course. It's totally cool. If I were to believe that being openly trans in the music industry was pass?, I'd be dreaming. I think everybody wants a story, and to know something about the songwriter specifically, and that's part of my story. One day it'll just be an "Oh, by the way." But I'm totally happy to talk about it.

Q: Did you wrestle over coming out trans? Were you afraid of what would happen to your career?
A: When I first decided to come out, I wasn't on a label. I decided to give up on being a commercial success, Just be who you are, have a day job, and do the music for the love. Don't expect anything more. Then we recorded Snakehouse independently and it got picked up. Some people actually say to me, "You probably got signed because you're transgendered and they thought it would be a good marketing tool." If you think that, you're insane. If I sucked, they wouldn't have picked me up. It's all about the music.

Q: There's not a big trans trend you're riding.
A: Right. Let's see, how to become successful. I'll transition from female to male in one of the most patriarchal industries on the planet. That's my plan. Yes, I'll spend $6000 getting a double mastectomy as a marketing tool.

Q: It would have been cheaper and easier to get some stickers.
A: [Laughs]

Q: You said once that you're not taking hormones because you don't want your voice to change. Sticking with that?
A: Until I'm 60. I've done a lot of research on it, and it would probably take me about four years to retrain my voice. My singing has always been my strength, and I don't want any limitations on that. So I can't have a beard, big deal. I can sing a kick ass song.

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The Cliks play Pearl Street in Northampton Oct. 13; Space Gallery in Portland, Maine Oct. 15; and T.T. The Bear's in Cambridge Oct. 16. Visit www.thecliks.com