Tacoma’s Maurice the Fish records has signed a new band to its label – a rockin’ blues trio called The Fat Tones. The band’s new CD, “Sounds Like a Party,” has just been released and for anyone who digs smokin’ hot, guitar-heavy blues and swanky vocals, this band is for you.

The Fat Tones will be playing live at Jazzbones this Friday, Aug. 12, during their CD release party, 8-10:30 p.m., $7 cover. Be sure and wear your dancing shoes – The Fat Tones have a way of making it impossible to just sit and listen. Another local band that’s very hot, Blues Redemption, will be the openers.

“Sounds Like a Party” is already getting rave reviews. A showcase of pure, old school blues complete with killer harmonizing, howling harmonicas and Hammond B3 thrown in here and there, every song exemplifies the technical proficiency of the band members and their gift for mixing in highly entertaining lyrics. The track “My Big Deck” is a very cool example of The Fat Tones’ skill with hilarious lyrical innuendo and musical mastery: “I got a big deck/ it’s made outta wood/ the neighbor lady seen it and she understood/ I invited her over/ she said ‘what the heck’/ she came over and sat on/ my big deck.”

Since their beginnings in 2002, the band has released five hit albums of original music with titles like “Everybody Must Get Toned” and “Fifty Bucks and Free Beer.” Inland Empire Blues Society has honored the band as a whole and the individual players in multiple categories of regional awards – Bobby Patterson on guitar, Zach Cooper on drums and Bob Ehrgott on bass. All three guys contribute to vocals and songwriting. It’s very obvious that all three of them have been playing music for a long time – their sound is tight, professional and on the mark in every possible way.

The Fat Tones have numerous gigs lined up this summer. Visit www.thefattones.com for places and dates and much more.