By Heather Matthews
Staff Writer

Founder Justin Spencer, left, and Greg Kassapis rock out at a recent Recycled Percussion show. (Courtesy Photo)

What started as nothing more than a joke has boomed into one of the fastest-growing, hardest-touring musical acts in the country.

Justin Spencer, founder of the junk rock group Recycled Percussion, thought playing on trash barrels and other recycled materials would be a funny way for he and a few friends to showcase their talents during the Goffstown High School’s annual talent show.

“It all just started as a joke, and the rest is history,” Spencer said.

Now, more than 11 years later, Recycled Percussion has earned nationwide recognition for its heart-pounding, foot-stomping blend of extreme drumming, hip-hop and funk sounds and blazing pyrotechnics.

For the last several months, the group has spent every waking moment on the road, playing to sold out shows at college campuses across the country and entertaining crowds during the half-time shows at NBA games.

Spencer and his bandmates performed for a crowd of 40,000 during the Sky Show at Arms Park in Manchester on Memorial Day weekend. They played just long enough to give fans a small taste of what to expect from their “Rock Your Junk” tour and leave them wanting more.

On Friday, July 15, fans will be able to experience the whole show when Recycled Percussion makes a triumphant homecoming, playing a one-night engagement at the Palace Theatre on Hanover Street in Manchester.

While Spencer “pleads the fifth” when asked about life on the road, he does admit he’s happy to be home and looking forward to a four-week break before hitting the road for a 150-city tour. What he’s really excited for, though, is the Palace show.

It will give Spencer and his bandmates the chance to perform for the family, friends and fans who weren’t able to follow them around the country, but have been with the band since their meager beginnings at the high school talent show.

Although the show at the Palace is not the first time the group has performed in Manchester during their “Rock Your Junk” tour, it is the first time the group has gigged at the Palace.

“This is going to be one of the best shows that the Palace has ever seen,” Spencer said.

Although he doesn’t want to give away too much about what the group has in store for its hometown audience, Spencer promised it’s going to be one of their most heart-pounding yet and will include the group’s special blend of exciting visuals and unique sounds.

Spencer guaranteed the night would entrance the audience.

“It’s all about making people forget about the mayhem of their life,” he said, “and feel like we’re feeling on stage.”

Recycled Percussion features Justin Spencer, Greg Kassapis, Ryan Vezina and DJ Dirty Soul. The Palace show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22. For more information, visit www.recycledpercussion.com. For tickets, call the Palace at 668-5588 or visit www.palacetheatre.org.