(Music Video Distributors, 90 minutes)

www.punkrockkaraoke.com

It isn't very often that there's a music DVD you can interact with at home or at your local music venue. A little over a decade ago Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson had the serendipitous idea to combine the chocolate of karaoke with the peanut butter of punk rock. Punk started out as music that theoretically anyone could play, and Punk Rock Karaoke takes that to its extreme conclusion, letting anyone with the nerve be a rock star for three minutes. The DVD includes versions with and without vocals, so you can rock out with your Mr. Microphone.

This time Hetson is joined by the likes of NOFX guitarist Eric Melvin, who also tackles emcee duties, and bassist Steve Soto from the Adolescents and Agent Orange. Soto enthuses "it gives me a reason to wear pants every day." The affair turns into a kind of stump the band contest, as amateur singers demand songs each seemingly more obscure than the last. Celebrity guest vocalists Dave King of Flogging Molly, Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Dicky Barrett, and Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory among others also show their chops.

The songs featured are some real chestnuts in the open fire of the punk rock canon, including Black Flag's "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie," "What Do I Get" by the Buzzcocks and the Dead Kennedys' political anthem "California Uber Alles." It's a hell of lot more fun than watching clones mangle the cheesy pop repertoire of American Idol, and unlike music video games, it gives a chance to show off real musical ability, though that's not a requirement.

Special features: "Meet the Band" featurette, audio CD, band interview, live versions, surround sound options. BRIAN STAKER