Texas pop-rock trio Fastball will give fans a sneak preview of their third album, The Harsh Light of Day, on a 15-date club tour launching in Los Angeles next week.

After they kick off things at the Viper Room on Monday night, Fastball will hit venues in San Francisco and Seattle and then turn east. The tour comes to a halt Sept. 13 in Dallas.

The first single from The Harsh Light of Day, due Sept. 19, is the feel-good number "You're an Ocean," featuring the legendary Billy Preston on piano.

Fastball singer/bassist Tony Scalzo said he wrote the tune with his tongue pressed firmly in his cheek, saying he cracked himself up with such lyrics as "You may be from Venus, but I'm definitely not from Mars."

"It was a fun song to write, so hopefully that's translating to the listener," he said. The trio shot a video for "You're an Ocean" on Sunday and Monday.

Fastball broke onto the scene in 1998 when their second album, All the Pain Money Can Buy, spawned the hit singles "The Way" (RealAudio excerpt) and "Out of My Head."

After the release of The Harsh Light of Day, Fastball will put out an EP titled C-Sides that will include leftover studio recordings, a live version of "The Way" and a cover of the Replacements' "Androgynous."

Fastball tour dates:

Aug. 21; Los Angeles, Calif.; Viper Room

Aug. 23; San Francisco, Calif.; Cellar @ Johnny Foley

Aug. 25; Seattle, Wash.; Tractor

Aug. 26; Boise, Idaho; Neurolox

Aug. 28; Denver, Colo.; Soiled Dove

Aug. 30; Minneapolis, Minn.; 400 Bar

Aug. 31; Chicago, Ill.; Schubas

Sept. 2; Brookings, S.D.; Bash in the Grass

Sept. 4; Toronto, Ontario; Beachfest

Sept. 6; New York, N.Y.; Mercury Lounge

Sept. 7; Boston, Mass.; Lilli's

Sept. 8; Baltimore, Md.; Fletcher's

Sept. 10; Nashville, Tenn.; TBA

Sept. 11; Atlanta, Ga.; Smith's Old Bar

Sept. 13; Dallas, Texas; Gypsy Tea Room