For those of you who haven't paid much attention to this Scandinavian rock explosion going on, here's a recap. In 1998, Swedish hardcore quartet Refused parted ways after releasing the presciently titled The Shape of Punk to Come; vocalist Dennis Lyxzén went on to front the booty-shaking leftist rock 'n' roll outfit The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Sadly, it was the vastly inferior Hives who stole the spotlight, using a pre-fab look and sound to muscle into the whole garage rock revival thing this year. With Norway's Cato Salsa Experience schlepping Levi's almost immediately upon arrival, the stage isn't exactly well set for new Gothenburg faces Division of Laura Lee, but that shouldn't pose a problem. The group rocks with the same vivacity and vehemence as T(I)NC, but without the heavy political weight, making their new Black City (Epitaph) slightly more palatable. To their credit, Division also has a firm understanding that hard and hyper wears one out after a while, so while some of the album's best moments are spitfire hardcore jams ("Access Identity"), the breathers taking cues from old Cure and Jesus and Mary Chain records ("I Guess I'm Healed") are ultimately just as satisfying.

Fri., Oct. 4, 9:30 p.m., $8, with Haven and The Hiss, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

The student the School District blamed for the violence at South Philadelphia High School shares his story. It's not the same one District officials have been telling.

One year after he fled the GOP, Pa.'s senior senator is scratching and clawing to do what he does best: survive.

Seuss Chef

Environmental lip service takes a back seat to tasty a.m. fare at Green Eggs Café.

The Climb

Behind Ladder 15's Ansill-fied revamp.

The Next Movement

Oh! Pears' Corey Duncan is assembling an ambitious rock orchestra.

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