By Holly Bedard
Editor

Founder Justin Spencer leaps from one kit to the next at Recycled Percussion’s show on Saturday, July 15, at The Palace Theatre in Manchester. (Courtesy Photo/Quinn Kingston)

Recycled Percussion rocked Manchester’s junk on Saturday, July 15, at The Palace Theatre, giving a special one-night performance before heading out for the next leg of its nationwide tour in August.

If you didn’t make it to the show, you missed out. Big time. I doubt the Palace stage has ever seen such power, energy and sparks ­ literally.

The show kicked off by making the audience part of the performance. A number of people were chosen from the crowd to make their way on stage, where they either had a task to perform, a stupid human trick to whip out or something nasty to eat. This was a great way to get things going, and brought many fans into the spotlight. It would be the first of many times audience participation would be at the forefront of the show.

When Recycled Percussion came out, it was ready to rock. DJ Dirty Soul got things going and warmed up the crowd. Then drummers Greg Kassapis and Ryan Vezina came out on stage, led by founder Justin Spencer, who sported a red “Manchvegas” T-shirt. None of the drummers’ kits included a traditional drum. Just the various plastic tubs, buckets and other items you would consider, well … junk.

But that’s not how it sounded. Within seconds of Recycled Percussion taking the stage, you realize this is going to be a show unlike any you’ve seen. The way these guys show off their talent is unreal. Sticks flew, speakers boomed and hearts pounded as the drummers took turns on one another’s kits, sometimes leaping high into the air to make it in time. They even took turns playing on big metal pipes and, of course, the kitchen sink.

It would be amazing to watch just one of the drummers in action. Here, there are three, and they are so good at what they do and working with one another that the show is nothing short of masterful.

Another amazing thing about Recycled Percussion is it never loses sight of its audience. There’s interaction with the crowd throughout the show. Whether they are throwing out drumsticks or T-shirts to the fans or bringing some up on stage for a Simon Says-like competition, the guys of Recycled Percussion love to get people involved.

Spencer has a commanding presence on stage. He can get the crowd to follow and repeat a beat or bring them down to an eerie silence. There are portions of the show I’m sure many in the audience were on the edge of their seats just waiting to see what he’d do next.

One of the most jaw-dropping parts of the show was Spencer’s solo performance. He’s touted as the “world’s fastest extreme drummer,” but you can hardly imagine what it is like until you see him play first hand. Spencer starts out with a soft, slow warm up. Then his arms and sticks start to blur as he bangs out the fastest solo you have ever seen.

From powerful beat box to a medley of memorable drum beats, Recycled Percussion had the audience in awe of what was happening on stage and dying to know what was to come next. Make a point to catch this show the next time these guys come around and see for yourself.

You may have to wait awhile, though. Check out their tour dates at www.recycledpercussion.com or visit their My Space page at www.myspace.com/recycledrocks.