Watch This: 'Bob Mould: Circle of Friends'

"BOB MOULD: CIRCLE OF FRIENDS"

111 minutes. Unrated.

As he traded songs with drummer Grant Hart in the 1980s punk band Hüsker Dü, Bob Mould's anguished vocals and the melodic buzz saw of his guitar playing would prove a key influence on the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. He added to his status as a role model by coming out as gay, a non-punk thing to do.

Mould's anxiety-ridden persona continues to be evident in his post-Hüskers band Sugar and in work under his own name, most recently the '05 CD "Body of Song." Offstage, though, he's become more open and "comfortable in his own skin," as a band member offers in the extras to "Circle of Friends," which captures a career-spanning performance at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Mould's adopted hometown.

Not only has Mould made himself accessible through a much-linked blog -- the Boblog modulate.blogspot.com -- but he's also introducing his new DVD with club appearances, such as the one Friday at Chop Suey, that consist of a half-hour solo acoustic set, a Q&A session and a screening of "Circle of Friends." The DVD features inspired versions of Hüsker Dü classics "I Apologize" and "Makes No Sense at All," as well as "Circles," which finds the Hüsker/Pearl Jam connection coming, well, full circle.

DVD extras include preshow interviews with Mould and band members Richard Morel, Brendan Carty (Fugazi) and Jason Narducy.

-- Mikel Toombs

FYI: Bob Mould appears Friday at Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison. Doors open at 9 p.m. $15 advance. 21+.