Garbage displays its rock power

Garbage is a rock band. Duh. But its recordings are so pumped up with techno jolts and lush layers, that can be easy to forget. On Monday, however, the group returned to an L.A. stage for the first time since 2002, loudly reminding a capacity Wiltern LG crowd that guitars, bass and drums drive its music.

On the night before the release of Garbage’s new album, “Bleed Like Me,” singer Shirley Manson, drummer Butch Vig, and guitarists Steve Marker and Duke Erikson -- along with touring bassist Eric Avery, ex of Jane’s Addiction -- teased listeners with several selections, including the title track’s damaged pop and the comeback romp “Right Between the Eyes.” But the invigorating 75-minute set drew mainly from the group’s 10-year-old self-titled debut and the follow-up, 1998’s “Version 2.0.”

Still, the presentation mirrored the new collection’s streamlined yet totally slammin’ sound. Everything was toughened up, and the band played tough tunes to begin with: the fierce “Supervixen,” the hammering “Push It,” the savage “Vow.” Manson’s short red dress, red boots, even her sparkly mike stand with a red base reflected the fiery, sexy, diamond-hard performance.

By turns taunting and demanding, although practically giddy when addressing the audience, the singer belted lyrics, the guitarists sometimes playing lines that mimicked those vocals.

With no ballads or even many midtempo numbers, the pace remained breakneck, the feel frenetic.

But, rather than being exhausting, it left the exhilarating impression that Garbage is back and better than ever.