Hey, ’80s rock fans — this may be “just what you needed.” Mercury Records is bringing a major flashback to the masses with their Feb. 9 release of the “200 Cigarettes” soundtrack.

Blondie, The Cars, Girls Against Boys and The Ramones have had their tracks ready and rarin’ to go for quite some time now. The final addition to the CD, Harvey Danger’s cover of “Save it for Later,” will be mastered at the end of the month.

The romantic comedy centers around twentysomethings on New Year’s Eve in 1981, reported Rocktropolis. Courtney Love will try to further her acting career while Elvis Costello and Buster Poindexter will each make a guest appearance in the flick.

Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith are slated to lay down vocal tracks on a tribute album to Bob Marley. “Black Survivors” will include these and other contemporary artists “dueting with the original recordings of Marley’s vocals,” MTV News said.

Gang Starr’s Guru has already finished a recording session with Marley’s son, Stephen. Stephen Marley is producing the entire album and tentatively expects it to be released next summer.

While it’s a wee bit away, just knowing that the Pixies’ tribute album will be released on May 18 might help you get through the coldest part of the semester.

Weezer, Eve 6, Superdrag, Local H and Reel Big Fish will be just some of the bands joining forces on “Where Is My Mind: A Tribute to the Pixies,” according to Mike Mangunson of Rocktropolis. The current, although not set-in- stone, track listing reveals Samiam covering “Here Comes Your Man” and Far on “Monkey Gone to Heaven”.

Local happenings

If you feel the need to exert some creative energy this semester, how about giving an open mic a shot?

It’s a great way to express yourself without getting booed off stage … hopefully. And if participating isn’t your idea of a good time, you can check out what your ambitious peers have got to give, usually for free.

Boheme reserves Sunday evenings for an “open prose/poetry mic” and Monday nights for “open mic music,” according to their Web site. Both events begin loosely at 9 p.m. and last until closing time, or as long as the performers keep performing — whichever comes first.

The Lost and Found Lounge is gearing up for their Thursday night open mic, which is tentatively scheduled to begin next month.

Unfortunately, since it’s a bar, if you’re under 21 you’ll have to find somewhere else to let loose. Don’t despair, though. There’s nothing like a friendly street musician to keep the bar hoppers entertained during the stagnant Ames nights (microphones not provided).

Upcoming tours

The Rolling Stones’ upcoming tour will include a large menagerie of openers. Bryan Adams, Jonny Lang, Big Sugar and the Flys are just a few of the acts.

If you want to catch the ever-aging band within a minimal driving distance, they will be appearing in Minneapolis on Feb. 15 at the Target Center with Green Day and in Chicago on March 26 at the United Center with the Goo Goo Dolls.

Be prepared to shell out some clams, though. Tickets, based on a nationwide average, could be in the $70-range.