Bucket Boys make a career in junk

Part comedy, part percussion performance, Vince Romanelli and Mitch Martin whack their drum sticks on everything but drums.

Friends since sixth grade, the guys from Crystal Lake, are pounding out a career on garbage cans, street signs, bed pans and frying pans.

Both professional musicians, they formed The Bucket Boys about 10 years ago. They've performed across the country and are a feature attraction at this week's Lake County Fair.

Rapid-fire, chest-pounding thumps, bellow from orange plastic construction barrels. Clinks and pings clang from a "Speed Limit 40 mph" sign as the Bucket Boys dance in perfect time to the rhythm.

Audience participation is a big part of the show. Volunteers are invited to take a turn drumming on the junk. "We love connecting with the crowd," Romanelli said. "It's almost like we can form instant friendships."

Getting laughs is pretty easy for these guys. Martin says they have fun tossing out wisecracks that go "right above the kid's heads to the adults."

They'll go into the audience, find someone talking on their cell phone and quickly make them the butt of their jokes. Literally.

The duo has perfected what they call the "Bucket Boys Booty Shake." While Martin drums on stage, Romanelli will choose an unsuspecting person and do a quick waggle a little too close for comfort.

When they aren't doing shows, Romanelli and Martin play in their own bands and teach drum lessons. The 1999 graduates of Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, they perform in venues from preschools to corporate events. Members of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, the boys are favorites to play at the church conferences.

They'll be performing on the Fair's center stage today and through the weekend.