Juliette Lewis isn't acting when she fronts her straightforward rock band, the Licks. The sensual performer, who earned an Oscar nomination for her turn in Cape Fear and acclaim for work in such films as Natural Born Killers and Husbands and Wives, is a hyper-kinetic ball of energy when belting out her intense, personal tracks. Lewis, 34, was just as amped while calling from Los Angeles to plug her band's show Tuesday at the Agora Theatre. Lewis discussed spandex, drugs and why she's not too cool to catch the David Lee Roth-led Van Halen reunion. - Ed Condran

There's nothing subtle about your band or music. Your tracks hit you right in the gut.

It's not intellectual. What we're about is fiery, very rhythm-driven rock. It's not a spectator sport. I'm here to counter the anesthetized television culture. I'm turned on by an exchange of energy. To me, music is about feeling the drums and the melodic line of the guitar. It's about a singer putting on a show. I absolutely love this.

Then why did it take so long for you to give music a shot?

When I was 8, I was dreaming of music and drama. I was only utilizing one element of my creative fire. It's very scary to start an entirely new career after you do just one thing. Filmmaking is not what completes me.

That's out of Jerry McGuire, isn't it? Hey, you weren't even in that film.

I wasn't unleashing all of my creative fire, which is my chronic desire.

Write that down. That could be a lyric.

I like rhymes. They come natural to me. But I write the songs I play live. I come up with what goes on my T-shirts. My heart is totally in this. I'm in it to win it.

There you go again. A slogan for a generation. Hey, you wear spandex. Didn't Poison kill spandex?

I must defend myself. It's for practical purposes. Visually, I like the silhouette. I'm inspired by circus performers and wrestlers in some weird way.

It's very rock 'n' roll. But so many kids who grew up over recent years don't get rock and the show concept. Some are put off by Amy Winehouse since she spat at fans and may need rehab.

I'm not about the stoner thing. I don't think there is anything chaotic about being involved with drugs. I quit drugs at 22. I think drugs and rock is clichéd and trite.

Forget about the drugs. I'm referring to the larger-than-life image of a rock star, which has passed.

I completely agree, and I want to bring back danger. The cool thing about danger at a rock venue is that you're rubbing shoulders with people you don't know. You're out of your comfort zone. The feeling that anything can happen is cool. We've had chick fights at our shows. We've had the police come to our shows to break things up.

You move around onstage with authority and command attention like a rock star.

I like showmanship. How do you feel about David Lee Roth?

When he was with Van Halen during its heyday, he was such a showman that he inspired kids to form a band.

Yes! That's right on. When I was 13 and I saw Van Halen's "Panama" video, I was blown away. When Roth is crawling toward the camera singing, "I reach down between my legs and ease the seat back," I was like, "Holy crap! I want to be that guy." It wasn't Madonna or Jody Whatley that made me want to do this. It was David Lee Roth. I was taken by his showmanship and sexuality.

You're too cool for the VH reunion.

Why?

I don't know. Because you were really good in Husbands and Wives and dated Brad Pitt.

I'm not too cool for anything. I want to see "Jump" and "Hot For Teacher." My band and I were just talking about what their set list would be on this tour. I want to hear "I'll Wait." That song rules. It's so sexy.

How much does your acting background help your live music performance?

I think it helps. When I go up there, I just go for it. I'm what I call an emotionalist. I'm not tentative onstage or apologetic. I'm like a lion tamer and the audience is like a lion but I'm untaming the lion. I'm a lion untamer.

Juliette and the Licks, Scissors for Lefty, Suffrajet
8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007
Agora Theatre
5000 Euclid Ave.
216.881.2221
Tickets: $12