Buy your 3.5 minutes of fame

Let's face it: way down inside we all want to be rock stars, screaming out lyrics for rabid fans. For proof of our collective desire, look no further than drivers stuck in traffic, or your own breathless reflection in the rearview mirror. Sadly, most rock 'n' roll fantasies disappear like dust in the wind.

For those still keeping the faith, rockaraoke may be just what's needed. It turns out it's not such a long way to the top after all, when you've got a skilled live band and back-up singers ready to whip out hits from "Sweet Emotion" to "Sweet Caroline."

This karaoke on steroids is offered at Pioneer Square's Fenix Underground every Wednesday, with contests for cash every other week. With a strong desire to rock anyway, anyhow and anywhere, the meager $5 cover charge for guys is a great bargain. The free admission for ladies is even better.

For anyone with an iota of exhibitionist hibernating inside, a trip onto the rockaraoke stage is like a trip to Disneyland.

It can take a little getting used to at first. Some of the lyrics are printed out rather than shown on the computer screen, which makes timing the instrumental breaks more difficult -- but don't let that deter you. Just relax, take it easy and roll with it.