They're hoping for a hit, literally, but the bucket drummers who made such a racket hitting plastic cans, pots and pans in Broadway's Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk will wait one more week -- to Aug. 31-- before they begin performances of their own Off-Broadway show, Keep Bangin'.

The percussion performance was to start at the Players Theatre in New York City Aug. 24, but drummer-creator Jared Crawford has a commitment to play with Lauryn Hill's band, bouncing Bangin'.

The new show, which was developed last fall Off-Off-Broadway, is directed by Noise/Funk wunderkind choreographer-tapper Savion Glover.

Keep Bangin' starts Aug. 31, with an official opening to be announced at The Players Theatre, 115 Macdougal Street.

In the new percussion show, created by Jared Crawford, players beat on whatever surface they can think of --- drums, bongos, cowbells, pots and pans and, of course, buckets. Tributes to percussion masters Tito Puente, Max Roach and Buddy Rich will be part of the show. Performers include Crawford, a street performer who found success as a specialty performer in Noise/Funk, Raymond Alexander King (Noise/Funk), Larry Wright (Noise/Funk) and Darrell Dove Jr. (Boston's "Dance Umbrella" and "Jazz Tap/Hip Hop").

Designers are Rob Harari (sound) and Shelly Sabel (lighting).

The new Off-Broadway run, which apparently had it seeds in a run of Keep Bangin' in November 1998 at New York City's Baggot Inn, is produced by Keep Bangin' Entertainment, Maniactin Productions and Romeo Joven.

For ($20-$40) ticket information, call (212) 239-6200.

-- By Kenneth Jones