Since forming in the spring of 1996 by vocalist/songwriter John Bunkley and jazz trumpeter James Bostek, The Atomic Fireballs have exploded into the national music scene.

The eight-piece contingent takes listeners back to the pre-Elvis days of rock ‘n’ roll, when the music was called “jump” and the dance was called “swing.”

Drawing from influences such as Cab Calloway, Wynonie Harris and Louis Jordan, The Atomic Fireballs have learned to bop with the best of them.

Pounding out tunes like “Caviar and Chitlins,” “Berserk” and “Swing Sweet Pussycat,” the band parallels its sound with its style.

On the band’s Web site, atomicfireballs.com, the group describes its style as “upbeat numbers with a Cadillac appeal.”

“We pretty much stay true to the music of that pre-Elvis era,” Bunkley said. “Some of my singing influences come from other places, though. I grew up listening to punk, rock and jazz, and I think a lot of my vocal influences come from R & B-type stuff. You know, Aretha and all of that good stuff.

“Apart from our swing influences, I think you can kind of break down our other influences. In the ’60s it was Otis Redding and Dizzy Gilespie, in the ’70s it was Parliament, Funkadelic-type stuff, and in the ’80s it was Fishbone.”

The Atomic Fireballs got its start similar to many traditional bands.

“We just started playing around in a garage, and before we knew it, everyone was starting to pay attention to us,” Bunkley said. “We started gaining a lot of recognition around the Midwest, including Iowa. We also got noticed quickly in Chicago.”

The Fireballs have come a long way since the band first started playing around in a garage. The group recently signed on with major label LAVA/Atlantic Records, which made them label mates with multi-platinum artists Sugar Ray and Matchbox 20.

Also in the works for the group is a new CD set to be released in April.

Bruce Fairbairn, who has also worked with the artists such as The Cranberries, Bon Jovi and Chicago, produced the album.

In October, the band finished recording a single for Reprise Records’ “Tribute to Frank Sinatra” compilation. Other artists on the album include The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Blues Traveler and Reel Big Fish.

The Fireballs are currently filming a scene in the upcoming Warner Bros. film, “Three to Tango,” starring Neve Campbell and Matthew Perry.

The band got its first international debut Friday on television during the Miss USA Pageant. The band performed live during the pageant shown on CBS.

“We get to play during the swimsuit competition,” Bunkley said. “It’s gonna be a good time, but it’s gonna be a little different, too. There’s going to be a lot of swimsuits.”

The Miss USA Pageant isn’t the only notable gig The Fireballs have had the privilege to play lately. Last summer, the band played on Van’s Warped Tour.

“The Warped Tour was something else,” Bunkley said. “Everything at the tour was an experience. We got to play with and be able to associate ourselves with some great bands.”

Some of the bands who joined The Atomic Fireballs on the tour included the Deftones, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Royal Crown Revue. The Fireballs have also played individual shows with the likes of All and The Urge.

“It’s been great to be able to play with all of these great bands,” Bunkley said. “When you’re with all of these guys and they hear you and can appreciate what you do, you know that you’re doing something right.”

Call it jump, blues or swing, The Atomic Fireballs agree that its music will make you scream to the heavens and make the Almighty answer with a “Bop Doo Day!”

The Atomic Fireballs will bring its jump swingin’ style to the Maintenance Shop tonight at 8 p.m. and Tuesday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9 for students, $10 general admission and are available through Ticketmaster.