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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT “In a very short time, this band has captured the hearts, minds, and butter churners of the masses with their hilarious onstage performances of everything from Bon Jovi to Snoop & Dre.” “This sextet of crazy Amish expatriates deliver what is quite possibly the most entertaining show on the Island.” "One of the fastest rising cover bands in the history of cover band history.” "...the current saviors of not just the cover music scene, but of any and all racial unrest that exists in our country." "The freewheeling ride that is a typical Amish Outlaws gig must be experienced to be believed. The New York-based band bounces around from Alanis Morrisette to 50 Cent and from Men Without Hats to The Clash, taking on each and every song with the same level of gleeful energy. Without a doubt, the Amish Outlaws are one of the most unusual and innovative groups to hit the Island in years. This act is no dog-and-pony show, but a guaranteed good time that is sure to leave folks talking long after the final note is played." "Think of the painting 'American Gothic,' or the straight-laced folks before an American-As-Apple-Pie backdrop, gone really awry. That's the Amish Outlaws." "We got a lot of good reviews about you guys from the party. You were the BEST! EVERYBODY LOVED YOU GUYS!" "I've seen a lot of big name cover acts play before, but I've never seen a band create such a chemistry with an audience like these guys do. The show is just so fun you literally have to experience it to know just how good these guys are." Back to the top. # # # "These guys have definitely arrived. Their following has tripled over the past year and with good reason. They put on one of the best and most unique shows out there." "Best band I have ever seen. People never stop talking about them. They turn us all into dancing fools." "The Amish Outlaws always light up the stage with their high energy entertainment. Words like fantastic, wild, and wickedly entertaining do no justice to describe the performance that the Amish Outlaws give each and every time." "Not just talented musicians, also very entertaining. These guys know how to grab your attention. They are one of the only bands that keep the bar packed and people drinking all night long." "Quite possibly the most diversified and funniest band I have ever seen. The sky's the limit... I dare you not to love these guys. Smiles and dancing are guaranteed." "When first approached about The Amish Outlaws, our reaction was, ‘Amish what??' Now we can't get enough ‘Outlaws in the house.'” "The most fun band I have ever seen and the musicianship level is superior. The Amish Outlaws will be the #1 act in the tri-state area in the next year." "You haven't been entertained until you've experienced The Amish Outlaws. They are the best entertainers that the tri-state has to offer." “We were very excited to have The Amish Outlaws play our venue. Their unique mix of music keeps the crowd entertained from the moment they hit the stage until their last song. You're booking more than just a band... you're booking the Amish Experience.” "We do almost 175 shows a year and over the past 22 years have seen over 600 different acts. My staff are really really TOUGH critics when it comes to good musicians and my gang loved you guys. The staff tells me that every person who saw your show last Saturday will return next time you're here along with a friend or two. Thanks!" “You guys bring a breath of fresh air to an entertainment segment that sometimes gets very boring, with most bands being very similar. You have carved your own path musically and had the courage to do so, don't stray from it.” "Hands down, the most exciting, energetic band that has character that will make a lasting impression, making them not a cover band, but the AMISH OUTLAWS." Back to the top. # # # A piece on The Amish Outlaws from ARD German Radio, the largest public broadcasting network in Europe. They serve over 50 radio stations with about 35 million listeners every weekday in German speaking Europe. As Brother Big John Owens would say, "Whoohoo!" It's in German (well, duh) but if you speak the language, or watch Indiana Jones movies all the time, you may be able to get the gist of it.
Back to the top. # # #
From the May 28, 2008 edition of The South Bergenite.
Amish outlaws hidden in Rutherford When Amish children reach 16 years of age, they have the opportunity to live free of the strict code of conduct they are raised with. During the tradition called "Rumspringa," which translates to "running around," Amish youth are free to engage in the vices of modern life, including modern music, forbidden in Amish culture. After Rumspringa, the vast majority of Amish youth return to their communities to become baptized. A few remain in the "Devil's Playground," the Amish term for the modern American world. Enter the Amish Outlaws. Following a chance meeting at a "Rock and Roll Hootenanny" in Pennsylvania, four Amish men with a shared love of music decided to start a band. Brothers "Eazy" Ezekiel (bass) and Amos "Def" (keyboards, guitar, banjo) grew up together in the same Amish community in Pennsylvania. During Rumspringa, Amos and Ezekiel spent plenty of time catching up on the 16 years of pop culture they missed, particularly music. While most of the band members live in Rockland County, NY, the band rehearses at Fox Studios at Station Square in Rutherford, a popular local studio for area bands. For Brother Hezekiah "X," who sings lead vocals, the decision to leave the Amish way of life was "sort of a necessity." His family was the "black sheep" of the community, some of them musicians themselves. Eventually, all of them ended up leaving. Five years ago, the Amish Outlaws were born. The band does not shy away from its gimmick: men in Amish garb performing songs you would never expect them to perform. Each band member has a stage name: Brother Jakob the Pipe Layer plays the drums. Brother Ishmael L Cool J plays guitar. Brother Big Daddy Abel sings lead vocals and plays guitar. The Amish Outlaws perform cover songs from any and all genres. At an Amish Outlaws concert, one could hear renditions of songs by the Beatles, Elvis, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, Sinead O'Connor, Judas Priest, Snoop Doggy Dogg and Alanis Morissette, to name just a few. "Myself, Amos and Hez didn't grow up listening to music. Once I started to listen to music, it just became a passion. We like it all and we play it all," says Ezekiel during a rehearsal at Fox Studios last week. Every band member has his own favorites. Jakob is particularly fond of "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Doggy Dogg. Abel likes "I Just Wanna Love You" by Jay-Z. While the band plays rock instruments, they do not perform pop and hip-hop songs in a rock style. "We do it very much like the recording, which is one of the things that surprises [the audience] so much," adds Ezekiel. Ezekiel prefers heavy metal songs, such as Judas Priest and System of a Down, while Hezekiah is partial to "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor. "It's an opportunity to do a lot of great things," he said. Another favorite of Hezekiah's is "I've Had the Time of My Life," the theme from the movie "Dirty Dancing." Typically the last song on their set list, the song usually evokes a reaction from the crowd. Hezekiah recalled times when a heavy metal biker will hear the opening words of the song and greet the band with a rude gesture but five to ten seconds into the song, the biker will be singing along. "We're kind of a guilty pleasure," says Ezekiel. "We pride ourselves in being a band that can play a party and your 22-year-old sister and your 60-year-old mom is there and they both like it." As novel as the songs they perform may be, it is their stage show combined with their Amish uniforms that grab the most attention. The band members wear light blue button-down collared shirts, black pants, black shoes and black suspenders. Members occasionally also wear Amish-style hats. By the end of an Amish Outlaws show, their shirts are five shades darker after being drenched with sweat. While not the most comfortable performance attire, it was a step up from the white starch shirts the band members wore when they started. Hezekiah said the old digs were more in tune with the dress code of their more conservative Amish brothers in Ohio. The blue shirts were more in line with the dress of the Amish in Pennsylvania, where Amos, Ezekiel and Hezekiah hail from. On stage, the band members are used to the funny stares they receive while dressed in Amish garb, but off stage, the stares can be uncomfortable. Ezekiel recalls being glared at while drinking at a beer garden prior to a performance at an outdoor venue. But as they head from their parking spot on Park Avenue into the studio as rush hour last week, traffic slows and motorists honk in appreciation. A list of other gigs throughout New Jersey and beyond can be viewed at amishoutlaws.com. Back to the top. From the Saturday, May 24, 2008 issue of The Record
This ran in the “Better Living” section with a blurb about our May 2008 show at The Meadowlands Race Track in a piece called “5 Things To Do This Weekend.” Back to the top. From the Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 issue of Suburban Trends.
RIVERDALE - Considering the public perception of all things Amish, one might consider the rockingest thing to come "straight outta Lancaster" to be the clicking of a horse's heels and the creak of a wagon's wheel. Back to the top. From the Friday, March 28, 2008 issue of The Record
Amish Outlaws hit North Jersey tonight At 11:30 on a Friday night, Willie McBride's in Hoboken is wall-to-wall with dancing figures under hazy bar lights. The air has turned into sweat-vapor atmosphere, and a live band deep into its second set thumps the reggae-pop beats of Musical Youth's "Pass the Dutchie." It's like any night at the bar, though a keen eye might note the band members' light blue cotton shirts, suspenders, navy blue pants and matching straw hats, and their peculiar resemblance to Lancaster County Amish men. Even stranger is that no one seems to care. "I call it the Amish shock-and-awe effect," says Amish Outlaws vocalist Brother Hezekiah of the initial reaction to the band. "Usually the first reaction is shock, but by the second set everyone's going crazy ... everybody winds up having a great time," adds bassist Brother "Eazy" Ezekiel, who requested band members' last names be withheld in the interest of family privacy. The Amish Outlaws are a raucous six-piece cover band that knows how to party, delivering everything from Elvis to Cypress Hill despite the strict Amish upbringing of half its members — a childhood that ruled out listening to worldly music. At age 16, Ezekiel, Hezekiah and keyboardist Brother Amos embarked on Rumspringa, a coming-of-age tradition where youngsters experience the secular world beyond their home. This rite of passage lets Amish youth choose whether to return and baptize into their faith or leave and live in the world. All three chose not to enter the church, a decision largely based on their love of music. "[My family was] one of the few groups of musicians out there. I was a vocalist and as far away as Lancaster is, as much as it's a world in its own, it's close to a lot of places that are urban ... you sneak out, you hear a Beatles record, you hear an AC/DC record, you hear a Jay-Z record," says Hezekiah. Leaving their hometown of Leola, Pa., was inevitable for the trio. "There was never any question in my mind that [music was] what I wanted to do," says Amos. The three are quick to point out that their decision does not mean a clean break with their heritage. "A lot of people think that with the Amish it's very black and white: no electricity, nothing. That's not the case," says Ezekiel. "We still go back and see our families. I just [found that] the spiritual aspect of the Amish upbringing wasn't the thing for me." In July 2003, drummer Brother Jakob joined the three, then guitarist Brother Ishmael. With original lead singer Brother McMullen, the band took the New Jersey and Pennsylvania circuits by storm. "I was just thinking ... hey, we're Amish, that's what we are. There are Irish-American bands, there are Italian bands, and we're an Amish band," says Ezekiel. "So we decided to make it the Amish Outlaws, and it just took off." Following McMullen's departure because of family obligations, the group embraced Brother Abel in October 2007. Critics might accuse the band of exploiting their religious background, a critique that Ezekiel says he understands. "We do realize that it is a gimmick to an extent," he says. "After all, we have three non-Amish people in the band dressing the role, but three of us were born and raised Amish. ... If someone wants to believe it is a gimmick ... I will let him or her believe as much and say, 'You are right, it is just an act.' I don't feel I should have to convince anyone else of who or what I am and certainly don't want to argue with anyone about it. I know who I am." Regardless, the Amish Outlaws continue forward, moving beyond bar gigs to corporate and wedding commitments. But they say their path, like that of any other independent band, has not been an easy one. "This is a hard life, there's no question about it," says Hezekiah. "You either have that drive, that disease or whatever it is that makes you just need to do [music], or as [Frank] Zappa said, 'hock that imaginary guitar and go get yourself a good job.' And there's nothing wrong with that." Their ultimate goal? "That's easy," he says with a chuckle. "We're going to rule the world." E-mail: garciaa@northjersey.com Back to the top. From the Thursday, March 20th issue of AM New York
Back to the top. From the Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 issue of The Sandpaper
Back to the top.
From the September 2007 issue of The Ocean County Observer
Back to the top. From the September 2007 issue of Blender Magazine
Back to the top. From the Wednesday, November 1st issue of Steppin' Out Magazine
From the Wednesday, August 30th issue of Steppin' Out Magazine
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Amish Outlaws to rock Seacrets
For the Amish Outlaws, it is a bit of a joke that's all part of their show, but they're not exactly dressing up when they toss on the traditional garb. Back to the top.
Amish Outlaws lead weekend music action Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/7/06 If you thought Fourth of July weekend was crazy in terms of partying, you'll find things haven't slowed down much a week later. The weekend starts off with an intriguing group, The Amish Outlaws, performing 10 p.m. today at Lake Como's Bar Anticipation, 703 16th Ave. The group, which has performed several times at Bar A, will be coming back to surprise its audience with its diverse musical renditions. The Amish Outlaws, hailing from Lancaster, Pa., consists of six men dressed in full Amish clothing performing cover songs from all musical genres such as Neil Diamond, Snoop Dog and Queen. For more information on the band, visit www.amishoutlaws.com on the Web. Don't forget to arrive early for the performance, though, as entrance at Bar A is free until 9 p.m. today... Back to the top.
The story behind THE AMISH OUTLAWS is quite remarkable: a tale full of communal house-building, butter churning and intense shunning that makes “Kingpin” look like “The Little Mermaid.” [Note: there are some inaccuracies in the article above. We were raised Amish, not Mennonite. Our families haven't shunned us. However, it is true that Hezekiah suffers from chronic bad breath] An excerpt from the After Dark column, Catch these acts in the dog days of summer, by Joe Master as printed in the July 14th, 2006 issue of The Islander. Also Saturday, straight out of Lancaster, THE AMISH OUTLAWS will park their horse-drawn carriage at Joe Pop's for long enough to rock away the fire and brimstone of their Mennonite defection. Sporting authentic Amish garb, the Outlaws perform a grab bag of party tunes from all musical genres, and even add a little choreography and acting to the mix for good measure. Last week I saw Brother Hezekiah effortlessly recite Judd Nelson's monologue from The Breakfast Club before churning the band into “Don't You (Forget About Me),” and I swear I saw Emilio Estevez smirking behind the drummer. An excerpt from the After Dark column, Paying tribute to the bands they cover, by Joe Master as printed in the July 7th, 2006 issue of The Islander. This sextet of crazy Amish expatriates - or maybe it's all just an act - deliver what is quite possibly the most entertaining show on the Island. Known for their outlandish song choices (read: Barry White; Sir Mix-A-Lot; Motley Crue; Tenacious D) and authentic Amish garb, The Amish Outlaws are worth checking out; if only to see a bearded white guy rapping to A Tribe Called Quest, sweating puddles through a 100 percent cotton Mennonite shirt. Back to the top. ### The Amish Outlaws By Tiffany Jow Remember the year you got your driver's license? Imagine being ceremoniously introduced, during the very same year, to sex, drugs, alcohol, and every other promiscuous act that fills many a teenager's social resume. Your parents turn a blind eye towards activity normally considered taboo. With your naivety and raging hormones, you plunge your adolescent body into grand experimentation—and you don't have to hide it. For Amish teens, their sixteenth birthday is just this; it's called Rumspringa, a Pennsylvania Dutch word for “running around.” This Amish tradition allows teens to explore life outside the “English” culture, basically meaning they can experience the luxuries and lifestyle their religion normally forbids. At the end of the period, the teens decide either to be baptized into the church or to simply walk away from the religion altogether. Topic's Tiffany Jow talked with Ezekiel, a member of the band The Amish Outlaws, who chose a life apart from his Amish upbringing after Rumspringa. TOPIC: You're just coming off of a band vacation, returning to play a slew of shows here on the East Coast. The Amish Outlaws seem to be doing really well; how has life been for the band lately? Ezekiel: It has been tiring, but very good. The vacation was a much-needed break for all of us, but I am itching to get back on stage. We all still work “day jobs,” and most of the Brothers have families, so it has been hard balancing it all as the band gets busier and busier, but that is a good problem to have. We know where we are headed, and hopefully how we are going to get there. We are doing what we love and, more importantly, doing it with people that we love. We are all friends first, band mates second. TOPIC: The Amish Outlaws have made a point of establishing that the band is not parodying or mocking the Amish religion, yet in so many ways, it seems to be that way at first glance. Why did you form a band of this fashion, instead of falling into a more mainstream sector of the music industry—jazz, pop, rock, et cetera? Ezekiel: When I first left the Amish life, music grabbed me, and it hasn't let go yet. It is my biggest passion in life, besides friends and family. There was so much music to discover, so much I hadn't been exposed to, that I wanted to dive into it all. Playing covers lets us celebrate the music that we love and, more importantly, make people happy. A few of us did play in original bands for a few years, and we loved it, but we really hit our stride with the whole cover band thing. The way I see it, there are Irish- American bands that celebrate their heritage. TOPIC: Your parents have been really supportive of your decision to pursue life outside of the Amish religion and have never tried to convince you to do something other than what makes you happy. Do other Amish teens who choose not to join the church after Rumspringa get this kind of support from their families? Ezekiel: I can't give much of a general answer, other than what my experience was and others I knew growing up. It really depends on the family and that [particular] community of the Amish. There are different orders of the Amish. Some are less tolerant, and stricter. Some will really pressure the teens to return, spouting damnation and sin. My family wasn't happy with it. They were disappointed, and wanted me to choose [their] life, but in the end they respected my decision. It is like an English person not following the same religious path if raised Catholic, or if a young man's father always wants him to go into the family business, or even if a child turns out to be gay. If the parents are loving, they will accept it as long as their child is happy. TOPIC: The media has only recently become familiar with Rumspringa, resulting in a handful of articles and documentaries which have encouraged stereotypes and assumptions about Amish culture. As someone who's experienced the upbringing first-hand, what is growing up Amish really like? Ezekiel: It is wonderful in many ways. There is a lot of hard work. If an English child joined the Amish, it would be very, very difficult, but that was all I knew. I didn't have to give up TV or radio or video games, as I never had them, aside from seeing TV and hearing music here and there in my dealings out in the World as a youth. Religion is a big part of the upbringing, and is ingrained into every aspect of life. The life is also very secure. You know you can trust those around you; the people in your community have your best interests in mind, and will be there if you need help. Money is not a big worry. The elderly are taken care of by their families when they are too old to work. Amish children do get to play a lot, and read. It is a good life, a simple and honest life. TOPIC: It seems like Amish parents are encouraging rebellion with Rumspringa, but going against social norms isn't an Amish virtue. It also seems like they see “English” life as drugs, sex and alcohol. Can you explain what purpose Rumspringa serves, apart from letting teenagers experience the decadent aspects of American life? Ezekiel: Well, Rumspringa is something a lot of the Amish practice, but not a formal religious rite. Some Amish youths don't even go on Rumspringa, and are just baptized right off. In some Amish cultures, it is seen as a test Primarily, the Amish teens get to sow their wild oats because they haven't been baptized yet. Baptism occurs [in one's] late teens, early 20s, and it is only after baptism that an Amish is seen as truly being a part of the Church. Before then, the Church really has no means of discipline. The youth can't be asked to make confession for a transgression, or be shunned, so many bend the rules of the faith. They drive cars, drink alcohol, watch TV and so forth. As most do [eventually] return to the faith, the Church and families tend to overlook a lot of that behavior. TOPIC: Is the media's portrayal of Rumspringa—as a constant party hosted by hormone-raged teenagers armed with drugs, alcohol and tobacco—correct? Ezekiel: In some cases, yes. A lot of the views on Rumspringa came from a documentary called “Devil's Playground,” which depicts some extreme cases of Amish youths dealing drugs, [or] getting in trouble with the law. Yes, most do experiment, but drug use was not, in my experience, rampant. A lot of people smoked, drank—and I did see some drug use, but never used any type of drug myself. I drank, smoked a few cigarettes, but was never a smoker. There are Amish youths who go out and don't do more than listen to a hand-held radio, or go to the mall, or wear English clothing. It really varies, but of course for the purpose of an interesting film, the filmmakers wouldn't have much success if they just followed around an Amish teenager with a Game Boy, right? TOPIC: It must be difficult, as a parent, to have to knowingly turn a blind eye while your child experiments with the ”devil's playground.” Do most parents have a hard time during this period? Ezekiel: Again, this depends. In my case, two older brothers prepared my parents. I wasn't nearly as wild as my oldest brother. Of course, at first it is a shock, but like parents with any youth, it depends on how far the child goes. Some parents even have the parties in the fields at their farms, knowing the child is close and safe. TOPIC: The majority of Amish boys start wearing modern clothes and move away from home during Rumspringa, while girls maintain a more traditional way of dressing and tend to stay at home. How else is this period different for boys and girls? Ezekiel: That is a big difference for sure. In my experience, the boys seemed to be wilder. I can't really speak for how it is for girls as, well, I am male, but it is not all that different from an English kid going through the teenage years. The same pressures: alcohol, drugs, sex. Some go further than others. It is definitely easier for the males to assimilate with the English if they dress in English clothing, but most Amish youths don't go far from home during Rumspringa, so the English who live in the area aren't surprised to see a plainly dressed person. TOPIC: What went on in your mind during Rumspringa? Did you have the urge to rebel and experiment, or were you forced into trying new things? Ezekiel: I wasn't forced into anything. Everything I did was of my own free will. There was some pressure to try marijuana and always to drink, but no more than I would imagine was there for an English teen. I was torn during Rumspringa. Questioning my faith, wondering how I would live out my life—it was a difficult but exciting time. I discovered music, which really changed my life. My urge was not to rebel, but more just to experience whatever I could. TOPIC: Rumspringa seems to have a number of potential pitfalls—pregnancy, drug addiction, et cetera. Are complications like this common? Ezekiel: Hangovers! My experience wasn't as wild as what seems to be the general English idea of Rumspringa. Dependencies, pregnancies—they do happen, but not particularly often, in my personal experience. You do hear stories, or whispers of a youth gone astray... TOPIC: In the end, you decided not to join the Church for a number of reasons. Tell me about that what happened when Rumspringa ended for you. Ezekiel: Well, Rumspringa never really officially ended. I can always go back and join the Church. That door closes only if I am baptized into another faith and even then, I would be welcomed back if I confessed and atoned. I read a lot in my teens. On different religions, philosophies, great authors like Kafka, Camus, Nietzsche. I studied. I learned. I expanded my knowledge of the world and came to question the spiritual aspects of Christianity. I didn't see it as the infallible belief system anymore. I still hold the moral aspects of the Amish culture very, very close to my heart: caring for family members and friends, living a good life, helping others… I will never stop living my life that way, but the Amish lifestyle is based on a strong foundation of religion, and once it was called into question for me, I couldn't dedicate myself wholeheartedly to that life anymore. It wouldn't be honest of me, and without the foundation, no house can stand strong. Also, and this may seem like a cliché, but it was a woman that was key. As that old sentiment goes, “It's always a dame!” I met my now-wife as a teenager. It is forbidden to marry a non-Amish person, [so] I couldn't be with her and live that life. When I first was calling my faith into question, I was terrified. Leaving that life behind was frightening as, while my family would still accept me, I would be alone in many ways. But my wife is my best friend, and the person I most like being with. We live very independent lives, but at the end of it all we are together, sharing our days and experiences. TOPIC: According to the documentary “Devil's Playground,” 85 to 90 percent of Amish teens return to the Church. Why is this? Ezekiel: This is all up to the individual, but I think there are three basic reasons. First, the modern world is too overwhelming for them. It is almost like when prisoners are released, all they want to do is get back in jail because they can't handle the freedom. I do not mean to compare the simple life to prison, however—it certainly is not. It can be a very wonderful way to live. Another possibility is their faiths are so ingrained in them that even though they enjoy the pleasures of the “devil's playground,” the guilt they feel equals or exceeds whatever pleasure they receive, and they wind up depressed and riddled with guilt and return to purge themselves. Finally, and I think this is the most common reason, they truly embrace and love the simple life and returning is the only option. These are the Amish of true Glaawe (Faith) who see the simple life as the best and only life to lead: “the proper life.” Topic web correspondent Tiffany Jow lives, writes, and works in New York City. She's currently challenged herself to see how quickly she can read Dave Eggers' biography.[T] Ezekiel sings and plays bass in the cover band The Amish Outlaws. The band, just off from vacation, has begun its summer United World Friendship Tour. A set list and band biography can be found at www.amishoutlaws.com. Ezekiel likes hamburgers and chocolate milk. Back to the top. From the May 24, 2006 issue of The Sandpaper
Back to the top. From the March 22, 2006 issue of Out On The Town Magazine
Went to see the Amish Outlaws at the Bent Elbo In FT. Washington Pa... all I can say is that this band rules! They are all that they claim to be and more. Great music, excellent show, and a real crowd pleaser. From today's hits to the classic sounds of rock... and yes these boys can RAP! They blew my mind with their unique style, let alone the image just gets you going. These outlaws are that indeed. You should be hearing more about them coming soon. HERE are some photos of this wild bunch of AMISH MISFITS, or as they call themselves, "THE AMISH OUTLAWS." Booked by STARS PRODUCTIONS at: 973 -300-9123 (You should grab some dates on these guys now because they really do not have that many left for the year.) Hotter than hot... for 2006, they have to be called the band of the year! Back to the top. # # # From the December 28, 2005 issue of Out On The Town Magazine THE AMISH OUTLAWS
Back to the top. From the 1.18.06 issue of Exit Magazine
From the 11.09.05 issue of Exit Magazine
"Amish men do it with a hoe." Back to the top. From the Wednesday, October 5th, 2005 issue of The Sandpaper
It might go without saying that most bands that play Long Beach Island don't have stage shows that feature a butter churn - but then again, most bands are undoubtedly nothing like the Amish Outlaws. The suspender-wearing, straw-hatted six piece will once again bring a little touch of Dutch Country to Joe Pop's this Saturday evening around 10. The freewheeling ride that is a typical Amish Outlaws gig must be experienced to be believed. The New York-based band bounces around from Alanis Morrisette to 50 Cent and from Men Without Hats to The Clash, taking on each and every song with the same level of gleeful energy. Their set list is particularly intriguing when considered in light of the fact that four of the six members did not have much exposure to modern music at all until the age of 16. At age 16, vocalists Brother McMullen and Brother Hezekiah X, bassist/vocalist Brother Eazy Ezekiel and keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Brother Amos Def (who also plucks a mean banjo) - all honest-to-goodness former Amish folks, raised out in Pennsylvania - embarked on Rumspringa, a rite of passage in which Amish teens are allowed to explore and experience the customs of the outside world. Most teenagers do decide to return to the church after a year or two exploring secular life; the Outlaws, however, chose a more unconventional path. As former Amish, the Brothers are able to enjoy many activities and experiences - travel and, of course, music - that would be off-limits were they still a part of the community. But they still keep in touch with their family and friends back in Pennsylvania, Brother Ezekiel explained, and their stage act - costumes, butter churns and all - is a hammy homage to their roots. Even two non-Amish guys - guitarist Brother Ishmael L Cool J and drummer Brother Jakob the Pipe Layer - have gotten in on the act. Ultimately, though, Ezekiel and the others hope their audiences come to realize there is more to being Amish than plainer outfits or simpler technology. They aim to debunk common falsehoods and misconceptions about the community that nurtured them - that the Amish shun any and all modern conveniences, which Ezekiel says is usually not the case. To that end, he and the other Brothers are more than happy to chat with fans and answer questions put forth respectfully by curious audience members. Their mission to increase understanding goes hand-in-hand with their hope to provide a one-of-a-kind musical experience, delighting crowds with their infectious sounds. After all, as they boast on their web site (www.amishoutlaws.com), "If you are not entertained, we will eat our hats." - Heather Pharo Back to the top. From the August 11-24, 2005 Issue of Night & Day Magazine THE AMISH OUTLAWS
Click here to view a PDF of this article. Back to the top. From the Wednesday, June 8th, 2005 issue of The Sandpaper The Amish are Coming
What you might not expect to be told is that he didn't get very much exposure to modern-day music until the age of sixteen, or that in the community he grew up in playing an instrument would be frowned upon. But it seems that when it comes to The Amish Outlaws, you should probably get used to the idea of expecting the unexpected. This New York-based six-man outfit is new to the LBI scene, and the former Amish fellows that make up the bulk of the band will be bringing their (relatively) new love of music to the stage at Joe Pop's in Ship Bottom this coming Saturday night. Bar-hoppers are bound to notice the good-natured humor that characterizes each and every Outlaws gig. Taking to the stage in typical Amish togs, they proceed to reel off sets that incorporate songs from artists as diverse as Right Said Fred and Mötley Crüe, Johnny Cash and Jay-Z. There's good reason for such a wide-ranging repertoire. “For the first sixteen years of my life – and for the other Brothers who were raised Amish as well – we didn't hear any modern music whatsoever,” said Brother Eazy Ezekiel, who contributes bass and vocals. “The Amish don't believe in instruments, ‘cause humility is one of the biggest tenets of the faith. Playing a musical instrument is too brazen – it would almost be considered showing off.” The Amish music he heard growing up, he explained, came from the Ausbund, a book of hymns. It was sung “without any instrumentation, and usually in a very slow chant.” It wasn't the most exciting music, Ezekiel said, “especially compared to what I heard out in the World (an Amish term for the non-Amish world).” At age sixteen, Ezekiel and the others embarked on Rumspringa, a rite of passage in which Amish teens are allowed to explore and experience the customs of outside world. It was during that time that music first struck a chord with them. “Music was one of the first things I loved – it was an absolute passion of mine,” Ezekiel reflected. He quickly found himself voraciously listening to “everything from The Beatles to old school rap, heavy metal and rock ‘n' roll.” The band likes to mix it up culturally as well as musically. Many of the members' stage names are, intriguingly enough, a nod to both Amish traditional names and forms of address and well-known hip-hop artists. Brother McMullen and Brother Hezekiah X sing, while Brother Ishmael L Cool J plays guitar. Brother Amos Def contributes on keyboards, guitar, banjo, and vocals and Brother Eazy Ezekiel plays, as previously mentioned, bass and also sings. Rounding out the group is Brother Jacob the Pipe Layer on drums. “We do ham it up,” said Ezekiel, but he explained that the Outlaws most definitely do not make a mockery of their upbringing in performing in the way that they do. “Of course, it is tongue-in-cheek to an extent, but we don't reinforce the popular misconceptions that exist about the Amish. If anything, we try to dispel them.” Ezekiel said that he is personally more than happy to enlighten any audience members who may not know much about the Amish way of life. “If somebody stops me at a show to talk to me and ask questions about it, I'll spend a half an hour talking to one person,” he asserted. He will readily debunk any myths by drawing upon his own experiences growing up in the town of Leola in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. “People think the Amish absolutely do not use electricity or they live in the dark or they don't believe in any kind of modern conveniences, which isn't the truth,” he explained. “I mean, the Amish do use electricity – they can use 12-volt batteries. They can't use landlines, they can't use electricity coming out from the World “ While Amish communities throughout the United States and Canada can vary greatly in terms of strictness of customs, it is important for non-Amish to shrug off their idea of the Amish “as, almost, cavemen – living in a primitive time and completely shunning anything that's related to the modern world,” said Ezekiel. “That's not really the case.” Still, many crowds don't always know what to make of the band, but they quickly come around. “We recently did our first show for S.T.A.R.S. Productions,” Ezekiel recalled. “We played at a place called the Ringside Pub in Caldwell. It was a surprise thing – we got up, we did a set. People were standing there looking at us, not really quite sure what to make of us.” Once audiences get over the initial shock, he continued, “people really just kind of grab onto it. They see how much fun we're having and I think it feeds out into the crowd.” Not bad for a band whose mission is to make people happy – to “make people smile.” The Amish Outlaws have been making people smile since the summer of 2003. “It was a chance encounter with Hezekiah here in New York that got us together, where we discovered that we had both been raised Amish, but not in the same communities,” Ezekiel explained. Brother Hezekiah X and Brother McMullen grew up in the same community in Pennsylvania, as did Ezekiel and Brother Amos Def. “The Amish have church groups, they don't actually go to church every Sunday in a building,” said Ezekiel. “There are usually 20 to 25 families that meet together every other Sunday for three hours – that's where you get your sermon, that's where you talk about religion. So even within a bigger Amish community, there tend to be smaller communities within it that are really quite close-knit and tight. And Brother Amos was in a different group than me – we knew each other almost casually.” Being the same age, Ezekiel and Amos left to go out on Rumspringa at the same time. It was during that period that the two became close friends. Meanwhile, longtime friends Brother Hezekiah X and Brother McMullen were discovering their own passion for music. “Both were excellent singers, though in the Amish community they were never given the chance to really shine as it goes against the spirit of gelassenheit, or humility, which is so important to the Amish faith,” said Ezekiel. “They continued to sing after leaving on Rumspringa, and really came into their own as vocalists.” The four former Amish bonded over their shared background and interests. “When I met Hezekiah we discussed music in depth and decided to play together, first in a few different types of bands before settling on what we are now doing which, once we did, really felt right,” Ezekiel recalled. The Brothers then enlisted the help of two English folks from New York. “It's confusing,” Ezekiel said. “A lot of people think I mean from Britain but English is a term for not Amish.” Brother Jakob the Pipe Layer and Brother Ishmael L Cool J joined up, and were soon dubbed “honorary Amish.” The entire venture has earned some acceptance from Ezekiel's family, who are appreciative that he tries to dispel stereotypes about the Amish – to educate as well as entertain. "They would still rather I was back in the Amish world," he admitted, "or making a living farming as opposed to playing music, but they certainly don't condemn me for it." "My family was wary at first," Ezekiel said, but they "have come to realize that this is what I love doing. It makes me happy, and we make people that come to see our performances happy as well. Spreading joy is very fulfilling for the Amish." It isn't just the rock ‘n' roll lifestyle that makes Ezekiel and other Brothers so unusual among the Amish – it's the fact that they left the community at all. After experiencing Rumspringa, “I'd say four out of five Amish youth return to the church,” Ezekiel surmised. The custom is based on the New Testament recommendation that the faithful be baptized as adults. By exploring what the outside world has to offer, Amish teenagers can then make an informed decision as to whether or not they want to undergo baptism and continue in the faith. Though initially Ezekiel's parents were less than thrilled when he chose to leave the community and the church, the passing of years (Ezekiel is now thirty years old) has allowed them to come to terms with his decision. “That's another misconception – people think that if you leave the Amish faith you're shunned and they don't speak to you anymore, which isn't the case.” “They still accept us, they still love us, we still go back and visit,” he continued. Ezekiel's biggest reason for deciding not to go back to the community was, one might say, as good a reason as any – he fell in love. “I met my now wife while I was out here and I knew that if I went back I couldn't be with her, ” he explained. “The Amish can interact with the English – you can be friends – but it is strictly forbidden for an Amish person to marry a non-Amish person.” He and the rest of the former Amish members have found other loves out in the non-Amish realm. Ezekiel especially relishes the freedom to travel. “In the Amish community, you never go on trips for the sake of the trip, itself. You can't own a car as it might tempt you to go out and explore the World,” he explained. “Amish can't fly in planes without getting the permission of the church. They can ride roller skates, roller blades, and push scooters around the community, as the distance you can travel is limited, but you can't ride a bike, as it would give you too much freedom to travel a farther distance.” “Brother Amos is an avid mountain biker,” he continued, “so I can safely say I know that is one of his favorite things that he wouldn't be able to do back in the Amish world.” It is easy for English folks to imagine, however, that sometimes the Brothers yearn for the simpler, less hectic way of life that they have left behind. “You give up a lot of personal freedoms in the Amish world, but in return for it you get a very strong sense of community, of belonging, of acceptance and security,” Ezekiel explained. “You don't have to worry about retirement when you get old. The elderly are cared for and respected, and never have to worry about living on a Social Security check or where their next meal will come from, as they will be taken care of by their families.” The rat race is almost unheard of among these communities. “Out in the World I work to pay my mortgage, my health insurance, and my expenses, while in the Amish world, in many cases, the results of the work you do are the very reward,” he continued. “You help a family with carpentry to support those in your community that support you. You work in the field to raise crops.” “The World moves so fast on the outside that I think many people don't appreciate it as it goes by,” Ezekiel asserted. “An Amish life is not that way. It is about spending time with family and your friends. The Amish believe that the true roots of human fulfillment are identity and belonging.” He and the other Brothers, then, might just have the best of both worlds. “I still feel very strong ties to my family and community, and my bonds with my friends and family out in the World are also very deep,” he said. “I am also comforted knowing that I can always return to the Amish life whenever I want, and they will welcome me with open arms.” The Amish Outlaws certainly hope to be welcomed with open arms when they take the stage at Joe Pop's on Saturday night, where they'll be playing back to back with hometown favorites The Pickles. While they have "kind of got started on the Jersey Shore scene a little late," recently playing a few songs alongside the likes of Big Orange Cone and Dog Voices at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como (where they'll also be playing a benefit for the Erica Zwickel Foundation on Sunday afternoon), they hope to be back – if not this summer, then the next. And don't be startled if you see a group of plainly-dressed men milling around on the Island in the days leading up to an Amish Outlaws gig. “We work pretty hard in promoting the band, and if we play a new area we'll go down a week or so before and hand out flyers and try to generate some interest,” Ezekiel explained. “We get a lot of people who almost think we're a religious sect. If we're wearing our traditional Amish clothes and there are four men walking down the street in suspenders, blue shirts and straw hats, and they come up to you with a piece of paper,” he continued laughingly, “most people are a little weirded out at first.” Back to the top. From the March 2005 issue of Chronogram Magazine: Twisted Brothers You may think you've seen and heard everything, that it's all been done before. Then an Amish dude in full garb whips out his electric guitar and starts singing Cypress Hill's "Insane In The Brain," and you know you've been a fool. In today's world of entertainment, nothing is too bizarre. Read the article online here. Back to the top. From the January/February 2005 issue of The Hook magazine.
Back to the top. From More Music in the February 14th, 2006 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine.
# # # From The Barfly in the November 2nd, 2005 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine
- Alan Tecchio # # # From the August 17th, 2005 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine
# # # From the August 3rd, 2005 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine AMISH FOX'S
Click the image above for a larger version of the page. # # # From the December 1st, 2004 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine:
# # # From the May 12th, 2004 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine: Amish Outlaws invade Hoboken ## Write up on The Amish Outlaws from the “More Music” section in the December 10th, 2003 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine.
## Short review of The Amish Outlaws' performance on 11/08/03 at JF Keane's from Dan Lorenzo's column “24/7” in the November 19th issue of Steppin' Out. I went with my wife and my friend to Pearl River to see the band The Amish Outlaws. I was fascinated with the band's story. Raised in Pennsyltucky, these Amish musicians left home at 16 (as is customary with Amish culture) to see the "real" world and never came back. Now they are a great cover band playing songs from Cypress Hill to Twisted Sister.
Review of The Amish Outlaws' performance on 9/20/03 at C&D's Corner from Alan Tecchio's column “The Barfly” in the September 24th, 2003 issue of Steppin' Out.
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For too long its been the same thing with bands in the area, in regards to music and style. People say that many of the bands out there look the same and play the same music. This is not the case with a band we are calling the band to watch for 2006. They are called The Amish Outlaws. The group is booked by STARS PRODUCTIONS - Steve Tarkanish. Steve called me about them some weeks back. On the phone he sounded very excited about this band called THE AMISH OUTLAWS... so, I went on the internet and checked them out... listened to some sound bytes and, well, here is some info on what I think could make these guys the band to watch for in the new year.
THE AMISH OUTLAWS RETURN
It was April 30 during Bar Anticipation's Spring Bash in Lake Como. As I was taking photos of the event I noticed six Amish looking guys in electric blue shirts walking around. I thought it was some sort of gimmick, they couldn't really be Amish, could they? And even if they were, were they any good?
Pick any band that plays the Long Beach Island bar circuit, pick a member at random – bassist, singer, it doesn't matter – and ask that same member about his musical roots. Inevitably he'll tell you he's been listening to The Rolling Stones or some such group since before he could tie his own shoes, or that his love affair with heavy metal kicked off when his older sister dragged him along to a Metallica concert at age thirteen. Maybe he'll tell you that somewhere there exists a cracked old cassette tape of his first awkward attempts at freestyle rapping, or that he's been playing the drums since his high school marching band days.
We need to see things that boggle our minds because clearly we're bored and we require something new. Here's some entertainment that qualifies: The Amish Outlaws—six guys in suspenders who hit the stage with outlandish cover tunes, playing everything from Barry White to David Bowie, Neil Diamond to Devo, Twisted Sister to Frank Sinatra, punctuated by the occasional TV show theme song or commercial. Between numbers, they spin yarns of their Amish upbringings. Now this is new. 
Brothers Ezekiel and Amos stayed in close contact after leaving home. Years later they ran into Brothers McMullen and Hezekiah "X" (vocals), who had also grown up in Lancaster and flew the coop during rumspringa. They bonded immediately over their upbringing and deep mutual love of music, lamenting 16 years without classic MTV, radio, and CDs. But they needed more and decided to form a band. Ezekiel had taught himself to play bass, Amos had music lessons, and both McMullen and Hezekiah had vocal training. But something was missing. They needed another guitarist and a drummer and knew they had to find them among the English. So, the four Brothers brought in Brother Jakob "The Pipe Layer" (drums) and Brother Ishmael "L Cool J" (guitar), and they became "honorary Amish." With the passion that only 16 years of repression can yield, The Amish Outlaws were born and came screaming into the lap of the world. 
One of the fastest rising cover bands in the history of cover band history are... the AMISH OUTLAWS. We contacted them recently to see what was new. We sent them an email but learned the Amish don't do computers. Carrier pigeons circled our office and dropped the following note "We return to Tommy Fox's in Bergenfield this Saturday, August 6th. We have been hard at work playing shows and learning new tunes, including 80's hits, some new hip hop, rock and various other songs that a DJ would probably get canned for playing". We think they wrote other stuff, but what with the pigeon droppings... just be at Tommy Fox's Saturday night. 
Ah, to be young and Amish. The Amish Outlaws defied their parents and their community when they left Pennsylvania and never looked back. Living off the fat of the land, they've built up a sizeable following in Rockland County playing songs like "Insane in The Brain" by Cypress Hill, "I Want You (She's so Heavy)" by the Beatles not to mention covers by Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol and Judas Priest. This Friday the Amish Outlaws invade Hoboken for the first time at O'Donoghues on First. 
One of the most intriguing cover bands in years are the Amish Outlaws. It's quite the strange sight to see horse and buggies parked outside a club and a bunch of Amish guys playing songs by Judas Priest, Cypress Hill and Snoop Dogg. They even cover the "Real Men of Genius" commercial. Tons of fun. Check out www.AmishOutlaws.com or see them live December 20th at Don's Neighborhood Grill in Stony Point NY or C&D's Corner in Nanuet on January 10th. 
Cruising up to Nanuet, NY this past weekend I experienced a very different kind of cover band at C&D's Corner. Relatively new to the scene, they call themselves The Amish Outlaws and their approach to music is as irreverent as it is hilarious. Case in point-they made up their own Budweiser Real American Genius song as it relates to Mr. Chocolate Tasting Laxative Inventor and they even played the theme to Family Ties. Aside from that, the Outlaws put their signature "handmade" stamp on tunes that ran the gamut between hip hop, rock and dance. Quite a variety of stuff actually. And who says these guys just run around in horse drawn carriages and build great outdoor sheds?! They do so much more as this night demonstrated. Check them out when they play near you. In the meantime, see what they are all about on the Web at www.amishoutlaws.com. 
