"Can you say a good word about us?" asks lead singer Jason Stollsteimer on the swift and catchy "Shut Your Mouth," from The Von Bondies [ tickets ]' 2009 release, "Love Hate and Then There's You." After last night's (2/16) show at Mercury Lounge, the answer is a resounding, "Yes."

Although five years passed between albums, the Michigan-based quintet sounded more powerful and dynamic than ever--breathing fresh life into older material, while cranking out fierce versions of the newest songs. "Been Swank," from 2004's "Pawn Shoppe Heart," kicked off the roughly hour-long set.

The eclectic sold-out crowd was an assortment of fedora-wearing hipsters, baseball-cap frat guys and 55-and-older moms and pops. Also spotted in the fan-mix was Danish swoon-rock duo The Raveonettes. The audience gladly played along as Stollsteimer and guitarist Christy Hunt hammed up the scene with lighthearted banter. "How many people had sex on Valentine's Day?" asked Stollsteimer. Hunt quickly chimed in: "How many people f---ed on Valentine's Day?" Later, Stollsteimer jokingly admitted, "I write my songs in other people's bathrooms." Hardly a moment passed between songs when he wasn't offering up some silly thought or observation.

No question, the band was relaxed and excited to be playing live again. Stollsteimer's impeccable vocals, drowned in reverb and angst, were captivating, and almost epic. His unapologetic enthusiasm is reminiscent of mid-'90s alt rock. Sweat flung from the front man's long blond bangs as he plowed into grunge-y guitar chords and 50s-style girl-group rock harmonies, shared with Hunt and bassist Leann Banks.

"Going Down," from the 2001 album "Lack of Communication," as well as more recent selections "Not That Social," "Chancer," "No Regrets," and "Accidents Will Happen," filled the hour. The 2004 hit "C'mon, C'mon," closed the set, with the audience clapping along. A quick encore, ending with the fast, jolting "She's Dead To Me," rounded out the night, leaving fans visibly satiated.

Prior to The Von Bondies, the spastic antics of L.A.-based trio Nico Vega brought an earthy, gothic vibe. Wearing a Pocahontas-meets-American Apparel getup of black fringe, glittery tights and a headpiece with fabric dangling on either side of her face, front woman Aja Volkman owned the stage, using sultry, overly-theatrical, wide-eyed stares and stomping her feet. With raspy Regina Spektor- and Signe Toly Anderson-like vocals, Volkman roared, screamed, wailed and rapped her inspiring American-infused lyrical statements about freedom and change. The band performed "Burn, Burn," "Wooden Dolls" and "Living Underground," among others from their catalogue. A significant portion of attendees came specifically to see this eccentric, savage-looking group--so much, in fact, that at the end of the set, Volkman stated: "Stick around for The Von Bondies, if you came to see us."

Earlier in the evening, Southern folk-rockers-turned-New York-transplants Hymns brought an impressive assortment of Tom Petty- and Rolling Stones-flavored guitars-and-tambourine tunes juxtaposed with spirited horns (a trumpet and saxophone) and electric keys. The unit's cohesive, down-home sounds and effortless, good-spirited energy contends with that of Wilco or Kings of Leon. Most intriguing was guitarist Jason Roberts, who danced nonstop, moving like a kid who missed their dose of Ritalin. Twang-y and retro-based, their tunes are immediately likeable and undoubtedly earnest. Standout selections were the chatty, smooth-paced "Stop Talking" and rousing "St. Sebastian."