Now before you people say what I would normally say, which is "If you don't like it, turn it off," I'd like a chance to explain myself before I get bashed in the head by you "haters" for lack of a better term. There's only so much a person can take before they crack. Avril Lavigne is one of them, and here lately, she's getting really hard to avoid. SO I thought I'd just write a little something up for the so-called "punk princess." And no, I'm not "obsessed" with her nor am I a "closet Avril fan." Goddamn it if I like someone I'll say I like them, regardless of what other people think. And the fact that I know so much about her is to debate with people. If you are going to dislike something, I always say you should know all about it so you can hate EVERY detail. SO before you waste your time emailing me, just thought I'd tell you this first to spare you the time you took to type it.
Let's get some details out of the way. Avril Lavigne is a 17 year old "singer" (if you call it that) from Napanee, Ontario. A high school dropout (she only stayed until 11th grade), she supposedly taught herself how to play guitar when she was 12 years old. Although no one has actually seen her play one live from what I gather. And her little "boy band" backup she was paired with doesn't really play either.
Also, on several sites, they talk about Avril "being out on her own." You know, you'd NEVER know that she actually came from a middle class suburb of Ontario and from a very nice neighborhood. Nor were there any "punk" or "mean streets" of her small town. There were only 5,000 people. In fact, she used to sing in the church choir, and her favorite singers used to include Faith Hill and Shania Twain. She actually performed onstage with Shania at a show in Canada. How punk right?
Now she suddenly gets in fights at clubs and brandishes knives? Why Avril, I implore you? Did they say something derogatory about your Shania? Even her first label RomanLine Entertainment says "She is not a skateboarder, she is not punk. She is not from the streets. She's from a middle class family in Napanee." The punk was even a baby-sitter. Cute huh. She sang at fairs, in churches, and well, folk music as well.
And get this, Fabri, her former producer goes on to say this: "All she had experienced, all she knew was country. She didn't know Blink 182 from Madonna," says Fabri, who soon was serving as the 15-year-old singer's manager and encouraging her to try songwriting. "I've never worked with an artist that doesn't write their own stuff. I don't want to work with a pop star. I want to work with someone who will tell your own story ... that's what people want to know about."
So then Avril goes on to work with even MORE songwriters. Clif Magnes, another songwriter, helped her write her songs that "come from her heart." Right, or the heart of someone else. Jeezus if they COME from the heart then no one should help you write them. I wouldn't ask anyone to help me write my stories, you know why? Because some of us have this little thing where we don't want people doing the work for us. She had a TRIO of songwriters, some of which worked with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. If you don't believe me, go look in the liner notes. They are the same writers. And with the new trends in music, a receding of the "happy pop" genre, of course Miss Thang would fit in and be marketable.
Also Avril says: "The other night, I got into three fights. I was at a club and some girl was giving me attitude. When people are drinking, they get mouthy. She pushed me, and I got her down on the floor. Security came, and because I was on top, they threw me out." Her management told her she could get deported if she doesn't stay out of trouble. The general consensus is that Canada doesn't want her either.
A few more interesting facts about our favorite POP star.
A quote about her favorite bands (from her younger years, a year and a half ago): "Hanson. Check out the lead singer! He's adorable!" she enthuses. Then she reflects, "The funny thing is, we kind of look alike."
About cops: "I fucking hate cops, man. They're so dumb. Some of them are awesome; others just want to get people in trouble." Then you don't "fucking hate cops, man" if you claim SOME of them are awesome. Goddamn you probably should NOT have dropped out your junior year.
Contradiction time: In one interview..I can't remember what magazine articles specifically..but here's what she said: "I can't play guitar for shit" but in another one she brags about how she's been playing (and taught herself to play) since she was 12. In another magazine article, she says "I can skateboard better than Tony Hawk" and in another one she's like "Man I can't skateboard at all."
Something else for ya from the site below: "Let Go wasn't exactly an entirely hands-off affair. Lavigne was paired with a handful of professional songwriters who helped her sculpt the songs during sessions in Los Angeles and New York, where she moved from Ontario, Canada, after striking the deal."
Let me tell you something Avril, wearing a white shirt and a necktie does not make you punk okay? If it does, my dad is Johnny Rotten, not that YOU know who he is. Has anyone actually seen you LIVE playing a guitar? Or your "boys" as you so affectionately call the people you just happened to get paired up with? Sounds a little manufactured to me. Isn't that the thing youre trying to escape? You are obviously some bored little teenager with a snotty attitude from a middle class neighborhood. Know what we call your kind here: YUPPIE SCUM. And as far as I'm concerned, thats exactly what you are. Why don't you go back to singing at county fairs and churches. Oh, and don't you push MY Kelly to get your stupid MTV moonman. You know what...you're Britney without the boobs and wearing a necktie.
But of course, that's just my opinion...and while it's a good one, it's not the only one.
Quotes, most information, and pictures from http://www.clioonline.com/avril/
