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Teacher By Day, Rocker By NightFrom: Star-Telegram Posted: November 11, 2008 Steve Cle’ere teaches by day and rocks by night. When not teaching English as a second language at Shannon Learning Center in Haltom City, Cle’ere plays the role of KISS bass guitarist GENE SIMMONS in the tribute band Destroyer. "I don’t have the long tongue, but our face shape is very similar," Cle’ere said. "There’s a resemblance. I consider myself one of the best Genes in the country." How did you get started? My partner and I started it in 2004. The cover band, called Crush, spawned Destroyer. I started it to have a fuller schedule and make more money per gig. I still do it because it’s successful. But I also do it for pride. I’m very proud of it. Were you a KISS fan growing up? I was a fan but not a big KISS fan. I remember the KISS army when I was at Richland Elementary. And I thought it was neat. I just thought KISS was cool. Do you blow fire and spit blood, like Simmons did onstage? Yes, I do. Absolutely. I do it very carefully. I do blow fire across the stage at a low trajectory. And I spit blood. My blood mix is made of sugar, eggs, food color and butter. It’s messy. My costume always gets dirty. What is your favorite KISS song? Probably Calling Dr. Love because it’s the theme of his character. ?.?.?. I like the movement of the song and the theme of the song. They fit the character very well. What do you teach? I teach the newcomers class, and the newcomers are kiddos who just got here. They know some English but can’t function in a normal classroom. So they come [to the Shannon Learning Center] and then we send onto regular schools. How long have you been teaching? This is my first year to teach. Last year, I was a substitute and later on I became an educational aide. Does GENE SIMMONS play any part in your teaching? It’s a stretch, but being able to pull off the Gene character has given me more confidence. Doing something as challenging as pulling off a KISS show makes me see that I can pull off anything. Where did you go to school and what did you study? I went to the University of Oklahoma and got my journalism degree. Did you see yourself here 10 years ago? No, not at all. I never thought I’d wind up being a teacher. I was anti-structure. I never thought I’d be part of a big structure. What’s up next on your agenda? I see myself being a teacher indefinitely, at least until retirement. As far as KISS, the Destroyer, being Gene — I don’t know. If that energy ever seems to dwindle, I think I’d step away. |
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