Avril Lavigne 2008 - Complicated Princess

High-energy Avril ready to rock out

You think Avril Lavigne was high-energy the last couple of times she was in town?

Well, there's more than just hot backup dancers, a stint on drums and a Joan Jett attitude that gives "The Best Damn Tour" a swift kick in the utility pants.

The 23-year-old, multiplatinum rocker is on a new diet regimen that substitutes healthy fruits and vegetables for french fries, burritos and pizza — at least before the show.

"Yeah, I'm trying to be really healthy on the road," said Lavigne from Biloxi, Miss. "Because being a singer, if I get sick I'm kind of screwed, and I don't want to cancel a show, because that would be really bad."

Like, yeah. Because San Antonio needs her to cure the post-Fiesta blues.

She really feels that she has more energy when she eats healthier but admits to late-night "pig-out moments" on tour.

"I would say that when I eat really, really healthy I do better," she added. "The thing is that my show isn't until 8:30 or 9 at night, so all day all my energy has to be saved until night. It's like having a big workout at the end of the day. So I have to chill out and take it easy during the day."

And junk food on the bus is a no-no, too.

Onstage is where she really gets her kicks — literally. The diminutive singer-guitarist scissor-kicks like a young Pete Townshend.

"I'm having the most fun I've had on a tour because I really have a good show," she said. "My show is strong. The strongest it's been for me ever."

The upbeat songs keep things especially exciting for her. "The Best Damn Thing" has sold nearly 7 million copies worldwide.

"I'm really inspired by rock 'n' roll, and I love rocking out. The record that I wrote, 'The Best Damn Thing,' is very, very energetic, anthemic and fun," she said. "It's very playful. The songs are so fast and up-tempo and I like that because when I'm onstage and running around and trying to get the crowd going, that's just what I like the most."

Of course, the hits like "I'm With You" and "Complicated" draw screams, too. And Lavigne will play a pink piano and a short acoustic set, too. Then, there's Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," which fits in with her sense of humor.

"I totally like to have fun and lash and be silly," said Lavigne.

She acknowledged that her phenomenal debut album and subsequent platinum hits (she's sold more than 30 million albums) have insulated her somewhat against the massive changes happening in the industry.

"I know that it's (expletive) for musicians and stuff because people aren't selling as many records and the market is low and stuff. But I feel like I'm still doing really good," she said.

Lavigne said she feels lucky.

"I don't think about it much, but I feel relieved that I had a record out, like, five years ago that did well. Because if someone's a new artist now, they won't be able to say that they sold that many, probably."

About her third major tour: "I just wanted the show to be frickin' awesome."