Rapping, tapping and drumming on plastic buckets with their wooden drumsticks – these lads sure know how to hold a beat!

Together they are known as Hittmen - a group of select school students that practise and perform fuse drumming.

If you were unfamiliar, unlike regular drumming, fuse drumming uses buckets for drums.

Hittmen’s manager, Carl Homersham, started Hittmen about nine years ago, advancing students into the team through his fuse drumming programme.

Not anybody wielding drumsticks can join this elite crew either, with students having to go through an audition process to become one of the Hittmen.

“We see all these kids stand out,” says Carl.

“They've got something extra.

"They put in the extra mile and have some extra talents.

"Then we put them through an audition process to get them into the team.”

Right now there are six Hittmen who practice every week -Elliot Laurie and Zen Miyanami, Noah Stuart, Tristan Sparks, Daniel Moore and Lucas Shepherd.

All are well seasoned with putting on shows and mesmerising crowds with their quick drumming and catchy beats. 

“We go to festivals, perform on live TV, and play at Chief Games over in Hamilton,” says Carl.

Hittmen’s Tristan Sparks (left), Daniel Moore, Noah Stuart and Lucas Shepherd. Photo: John Borren.

Big crowds

Hittmen say they get amped from performing and busking, play a range of genres such as pop, hip-hop, reggae, New Zealand music and more.

Last month they performed as the opening act at a Night Before Christmas – a popular variety Christmas show that attracts an audience of more than 10,000 each year.

“It was our biggest crowd yet.

"It was real good,” says 15-year-old Daniel.

“It seemed like a lot of people when we were up there,” says 13-year-old Tristan.

Tristan says his favourite song to perform with his fellow Hittmen is ‘Can’t hold us’ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton.

“It’s our most technical song.

"We drum on each other’s buckets instead of just our own.”

Noah started out with traditional drumming before giving fuse a go, but praises the lessons taught by the humble bucket.

“You use the same skills.

"I think I’ve probably learnt more skills with bucket drumming, and then applied them to regular drumming,” says 16-year-old Noah.

And the best thing about fuse?

“The laughs,” says Daniel.

“It can be pretty funny sometimes.”

Hittmen will be performing this weekend at Festival One held Friday, January 26-29 at 209 Whitehall Road, Karapiro.

For more information and tickets visit: https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2024/jan/festival-one Check them out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/thehittmen