Weekend's best live music: Mini Fest, Rubedo, Congress, Chingaso, Boombox and more

BOOMBOX @ OGDEN THEATRE
The last few years have been a renaissance of sorts for electronic musicians. Once confined to the underground warehouse rave scene of the '90's, modern dance music has grown infinitely more sophisticated, stylistically, into the brave new frontier of performers who expertly mate digitally enhanced beats with traditional drums, bass and guitar. At the forefront of these modern hybrid of electronic dance rock bands is Boombox, featuring multi-instrumentalist and singer Zion Godchaux and fellow bandmate DJ Russ Randolph on sequencers, groove boxes and turn-tables. Although there is jamband DNA flowing through the veins of Zion Godchaux, son of Grateful Dead alumni singer Donna Jean Godchaux, don't mistake Boombox for a jamband. If anything, there is a strong digital dance vibe to the music than the guitar noodling Godchaux's namesake might suggest.

CHINGASO (CD RELEASE) @ BENDER'S TAVERN
"Chingaso" could mean a couple of things: a heavy blow that comes from life or from an enemy, or a dismissive insult related to being the embodiment of a big phallus. Whatever the case, the name fits this band, whose image is definitely full of attitude and whose sound fits all of those meanings. With bandmembers named "Chancho," "the Dutch" and "Stephanie Bastard," maybe Chingaso (due Saturday, May 5, at Bender's Tavern) is going for that later-era-Suicidal Tendencies vatos locos mythology. But its music is born of the sludgy pool of stoner rock and psychedelic metal that came through Denver like a wave ten years ago and fortunately evolved into something with more teeth. The result? A band that isn't short on bite.

Also tonight: Mini-Fest continues tonight at 3 Kings and the hi-dive, and Game 7 plays second night at Quixotes.

Check out our newly revamped concert calendar for a complete listing of all of tonight's shows. Page down for rundown of tomorrow night's best bets.