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F R I D A Y

Fifteen years on, the post-harDCore scene has kept both its edge and its conscience, even as it moves on to major-labeldom. That will be demonstrated as two of the sharpest exponents of the sound, Jawbox and Girls Against Boys, play a two-night Positive Force benefit for H.I.P.S. (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive). They’ll be joined tonight by the Dusters (fronted by ex-Severin Alec Bourgeois), who recently released the fine “Seventeen” single, and tomorrow by Candy Machine, whose members are from Baltimore but fit in pretty well here anyway. At 9:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday at the Black Cat, 1831 14th St. NW. $5. (202) 667-7960. (MJ)