Tuesday night at Southpaw, one question was on the minds of the fans. Do the four energetic Chicagoans that comprise Mannequin Men live up to the hyped boozy insanity of their live shows? Certain members of the crowd were appropriately enthusiastic. One of them was even ready with the answer to the riddle frontman Kevin Richard threw out to introduce himself  "What's the difference between jam and jelly?" (See answer below).

But in the end, the band, much to their credit, showed more energy than their audience. Richard and bassist Miles Raymer commanded the stage, periodically Paul-and-Georgeing it up at the mic stand as they lovingly drunk-dialed their way through the setlist. They drew largely from last September's release "Fresh Rot" – ("22nd Century," "Private School") -- bestowing its clanging, unadorned retro-garage-rock upon the staid environs of Park Slope.

The Man Men, often slapped with the Stones-and-Stooges proto-punk label are longtime favorites of Windy City critics for their onstage energy. Though they fell just short of their reputation, curious first timers may as well have been satisfied by what the band offered.

The band seemed to draw much of their intensity simply from the idea of being in New York, a favorite stop of their erstwhile tourmates The Black Lips and new home of their ex-bassist Rick Berger, who escaped here with his fiancée just a few short months ago.

Berger joined the band onstage for "Sewers," the last song of the night, which Richard had announced earlier would be their "secret jam," leaving the crowd in suspense. Though a fine moment for everyone in the house, the mighty Man Men might have thought twice about turning on the waterworks for an emotional reunion. After all, they have a reputation to uphold.

(Answer to riddle: "I can't jelly a cock down your throat.")