So maybe the mainstream popularity of “Macarena” is gone, but that doesn’t mean you remaining “Macarena” fans have to fall into conformity and deny your true emotions.

If the “Macarena” is the most exciting thing in your life, don’t let the rest of ISU stop you.

“Macarena” to class. Stand up during the middle of a test and “Macarena.” Whatever you do, don’t let it die in your heart.

And, before you know it, the “Mac” will be back, and you’ll be the coolest kid on campus just like I was when Vanilla Ice made his comeback.

You see, I once went through a similar pain when my favorite musician slowly died out. OK, so he dropped off the face of the earth overnight, but the important thing is that I stayed true to the love I have for Vanilla.

Sure, everyone has liked Vanilla Ice at some point in their life. But I am proud to say that I was the only kid in my junior high to own not one, but two pair of Vanilla Ice “baggy” pants.

I shopped at JW and Silverman’s at least once a week. I wore my silk as well as my extremely rare Vanilla Ice T-shirt with pride.

I own Vanilla’s book, movie, CD (both To The Extreme and Vanilla Live), tape and 8-track, not to mention I know every word to every song on To The Extreme, including the beat-box solo on “Havin’ A Roni.”

Vanilla has been an inspiration in every aspect of my life. I’ve used his dances to attract women and his vocabulary to hang out at the mall. At times, I tried to hide my passion for Vanilla, but I always felt a piece of the Ice-Man in my heart. To this day, I never truly break it down on a dance floor unless “Ice Ice Baby” is playing.

A few years ago, when Vanilla made his comeback with the release of Mind Blowin’, I took my “To The Extreme” T-shirt out of my safety deposit box.

When I began to receive numerous money offers for it (of course I refused), I knew that Ice was back and with a brand new invention.

Now genius phrases like “Maxin’ like Michael Jackson, chillin’ like Bob Dylan and livin’ like Thanksgivin,'” can be heard all over campus. And all because of my strength and courage.

Peace out and on with The Pit. (A-B-C’en ya!)

Gun’s N’ Roses guitarist Slash has been his usual unpredictable self lately. He recently co-wrote, co-produced and performed two songs for the low-budget, independent film Curdled.

Even more unusual, the entire soundtrack is in Spanish.

“I like doing things you wouldn’t expect me to do,” Slash said in Geffen Records press release. “But this was far-fetched even for me.”

Slash’s contributions include the instrumental guitar ballad “Obsession Confusion,” and the very unique “Obsession,” which features Spanish star Marta Sanchez on vocals.

“The music’ soft and romantic,” he said about “Obsession Confusion,” “And the scene is really violent and morbid, sick and twisted. And it works.”

What may not work, but they’re giving it an effort, is a dance mix of “Obsession.”

“Now that’s truly an area I know nothing about. Hell, this is completely off the wall,” he said.

Slash’s recent endeavors have concluded in recordings with Iggy Pop, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Lenny Kravitz.

He is also scheduled to play lead guitar in an 11-piece all-star band that will tour Japan. Steve Winwood will front the band.

As far as soundtracks go, Slash’s next effort will be for Private Parts, starring Howard Stern. Slash has also filmed a cameo for the movie.

Mark Romanek, director of Eel’s video “Novocaine For The Soul,” has decided not to share his secrets on how he managed to keep the band members afloat in the video.

“Let’s just say there was extensive post-production,” Romanek said in a Dreamworks press release. Romanek video accomplishments include Nine Inch Nail’s “Closer,” R.E.M.’s “Strange Currencies,” and Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream.”

Romanek earned a Grammy for Best Music Video with “Scream” and was named Best Director of the Year by Billboard in 1993.

The New York duo Fountains of Wayne released their debut record last week. Meanwhile, Fountains’ singer Adam Schlesinger has kept busy with film work, writing the title track to the new Tom Hanks film, The Things You Do.

A new computer program is now available to make it easier for independent and unsigned bands to get off their feet.

The Musicians Guide To Touring and Promotion was designed by Musician Magazine to assist bands in contacting major and indie labels, record stores, booking agents, CD duplicators, clubs, radio station directors and press personnel.

The program also sets up mailing lists and keeps personal notes for each entry, as well as providing information about music conferences and showcase opportunities. The Musician’s Guide is available for Mac or Windows at a price of $36.95. For a demonstration, visit the Musician’s Guide Website at www.billboard-online/musician/.

In concert news…

Big Head Todd & The Monsters are scheduled to perform at the Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The opening act has yet to be announced.

Iowa City will also play host to StereoLab at Gabe’s Oasis on Nov. 7. Porno For Pyros and Fun Lovin’ Criminals stop in Davenport on Oct. 24. The venue for that show has not been announced.

ZZ Top will bring their “Continental Safari” tour to The Mark in Moline, IL on Nov. 16. The show stops at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN on Nov. 17.

Chris Isaak’s Baja Sessions and Marilyn Manson’s Antichrist Superstar are among the new releases this week.

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Corey Moss is a freshman in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale. Although he bears a striking resemblace to Vanilla Ice, the two are not in fact one and the same.