 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Home | Booking | Tour Dates | Promo Video | About | Set List | Promo Materials | Press | Mailing List | Contact | Help Us | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bandsintown | Onesheet | Diary | FAQ | Profiles | Fat Club |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING # # # FULL PRESS ARTICLES:
Back to the top. # # #
By JENELLE JANCI | Staff Writer Apr 12, 2019 The Amish Outlaws are gearing up for a return to central Pennsylvania. The rowdy cover band reimagines songs by everyone from System of a Down to Lady Gaga, all the while donning straw hats and suspenders. It's not a fabricated shtick. Brother "Eazy" Ezekiel, the band's bassist, is a Leola native who grew up in the Amish church. He decided to leave after his rumspringa, the rite of passage allowing some Amish youth to experience greater freedom. Amish Outlaws will perform at Harrisburg's Club XL on Friday, April 26. Doors are at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, visit xlhbg.com. LNP spoke to Ezekiel before the Amish Outlaws performed at the Chameleon Club last November. He moved to New York City when he was 18, and now lives about 30 minutes north of the city. He said playing with the Amish Outlaws is an outlet for all the music he wasn't exposed to while in the Amish church. “For us, having grown up without any of that music, once we came out into this world and listened to it all, we appreciated everything, from hip-hop to country to rock to heavy metal to jazz,” Ezekiel said. “So, being in a cover band was almost a celebration of all this music we had missed growing up, and taking from all different genres.” Read the complete interview here. Back to the top. # # #
Who are the Amish Outlaws? What to expect from their show at XL Live in Harrisburg Posted Jan 23, 2020 By Sean Adams | sadams@pennlive.com The band known as the Amish Outlaws occupy an interesting place, being an unusual sight to both Amish and “English” communities. “We’re not the first people to leave the Amish lifestyle behind, definitely not the first in our community,” said band co-founder and bassist Ezekiel - who goes by Brother Eazy Ezekiel on stage. “So while it is a pretty radical departure from the typical Amish occupation would be, we haven’t gotten much grief. Mostly, among the English, we’ve gotten a lot of curiosity.” Those curious about how renegade Amish musicians might perform a song by Dr. Dre or Lady Gaga will have their chance to check out the Outlaws at their show at XL Live in Harrisburg. The performance begins at 9 p.m. The first thought that might cross your mind when you see the Amish Outlaws setting up for a performance is, “so, are they some kind of folk/bluegrass band or something?” With their straw hats and suspenders, you could be forgiven for thinking that they would be performing with banjos and fiddles. But the Amish Outlaws are a cover band that performs music ranging from Sinead O’Connor to Prince to Johnny Cash to the Wu-Tang Clan. As Ezekiel put it, the band’s style can be summed up with the word “eclectic.” “[Our shows are] a bunch of songs you wouldn’t expect, not only just to come from six Amish guys, but probably to come from any band you’ve seen before,” Ezekiel said. “And we try to play every song as if we wrote it, with the same energy and enthusiasm for it as something that we wrote ourselves.” The second thought you might have when you see the Amish Outlaws is, “what’s with the gimmick? They’re not really Amish, right?” The truth, according to Ezekiel, is that he and fellow bandmates Amos Def and Hezekiah X are indeed Amish. Or they were, anyway. “The way it works is you make the choice as an adult if you want to be baptized or not,” he said. “And until you’re baptized you’re not bound by the laws of the church.” The three men were all born and raised in Amish communities. But once they reached their teenage years, they took part in the Rumspringa tradition, which is a time where Amish youths sometimes step outside of the order’s traditions. The majority of Amish then choose to return to their communities and become baptized. In Ezekiel’s case, he instead set out for a life among “the English,” determined to pursue music - something that was largely forbidden to him growing up. “[In Amish communities, there are] no musical instruments whatsoever,” Ezekiel said. “That goes against what’s called the spirit of gelassenheit.” Gelassenheit is the term for the spirit of humility that drives Amish belief. It’s the reason why the Amish value behavior that is modest, reserved and quiet - in short, behavior that is the exact opposite to being a rock star. Indeed, music itself is extremely rare in the Amish community, being mainly reserved for singing in during religious services. Ezekiel was not the first in his family to leave the Amish community, which helped make the transition easier than it might have been. And as fate would have it, he would soon meet kindred spirits Amos and Hezekiah, who had also left their own Amish communities. The group then expanded to include “honorary Amish” Big Daddy Abel, Wyclef Jonathan and Jacob the Pipe Layer. As their punny stage names suggest, the Amish Outlaws take a lot of inspiration from hip-hop, as well as rock and pop music. Their shows are filled with “a bold lust for life and a fire for music and performance that can only come from 16 years of repression,” according to their website. In short: the group is not what you’d expect from Old Order Amish who grew up in Lancaster or Reading. And while sometimes departures from the order means losing all connection to family members, that hasn’t been the case for the Outlaws. “The guys in my band, we got lucky that our families didn’t [sever ties],” Ezekiel said. “We didn’t have to go through getting shunned, didn’t have to go through them not speaking to us. It’s just like any child that chooses a different path than their parents had laid out for them. You might get some flack and some blowback, but ultimately we’re lucky enough that we still got some level of support, when it comes down to it.” “We’ve actually had a lot of ex-Amish or even current Amish come to our shows,” he continued. “We’ve had conversations about what it was like to be raised that way, and what it’s like to be out in the world now. It was interesting having a conversation with someone else that kind of had the same perspective.” While the origins of the band may have roots in rebellion, to Ezekiel, it’s truly more about celebration. “While we take our performance really seriously, we don’t take ourselves seriously,” he said. “So the audience, 90 percent of the time, is laughing along with us. And we also really try to involve the audience and make them a part of the show. They can expect to step, my hope is, have fun and go home with some new and fun memories.” Back to the top. # # # The Amish Outlaws are discussed in the book Pennsylvania Germans: An Interpretive Encyclopedia by by Simon J. Bronner (Editor) and Joshua R. Brown (Editor), published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2017. Back to the top. # # #
Pub celebrates 10 years with a parking lot concert
The Old Towne Pub celebrated its 10 years of being in business Saturday, July 28. The celebratory concert drew hundreds of people to celebrate. There were beer tents, which included beers from Calvert Brewing Company, Flying Dog, Boulevard Brewing Company, Guy Distributing's Classic Draft Truck and many others. The Old Towne Pub was open for business and you could go in and order food and drinks. According to one Pub employee who was working the "Spiked Drink" Stand, which served Spiked Orange Crush, "We ran out of the Orange Crush within two hours of opening, we were scrambling to get more made for the rest of the concert." By 7:30 p.m. they had completely run out. Patrons brought chairs and just lounged around the parking lot, enjoying their beer, and good music. It was also kid friendly, and many kids attended and played. They even took a break from playing and dance to the songs that were played. Robbie Boothe hit the stage at 3:30 and performed for two and a half hours. The concert was held under a huge tent, and the pub had even set up chairs under the tent for patrons to sit and enjoy the concert. They left plenty of room for dancing between the stage and the rows of chairs, which filled up fast. The Amish Outlaws took the stage a little late, coming on closer to 7 p.m. They did not disappoint. They were all about the audience and included them in their concert. One band member, Brother Big Daddy Abel, took my phone that I was taking pictures with, and took a selfie with it. The lead singer, Brother Hezekiah X, was all about getting down in the crowd and dancing with various audience members. When The Amish Outlaws time was up around 9 p.m. the audience demanded an encore from them, chanting, "Encore" until The Amish Outlaws decided to play a couple more. The fun wasn't over then, as they made Robbie Boothe get back on the stage telling him, "Hey if we gotta work overtime, you gotta work overtime." It was all fun, and Robbie Boothe got up on the stage singing with the Amish Outlaws(right). Fireworks followed the show as the final "congrats" to the Old Towne Pub for making it to 10 years. So congratulations Old Towne Pub for being around for 10 years. Thanks for the fun time in the parking lot! Here's to another 10 years! Cheers! Back to the top. # # #
Musician feels he's called to entertain BLOOMSBURG — In the Amish community where Ezekiel Smith grew up, there was no electricity and all musical instruments were forbidden. But then came his rumspringa — the time when teenage Amish are allowed to experience the outside world before deciding whether to be baptized in the church. That's when he heard "The Wall" by Pink Floyd and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by the Beatles. After that, there was no turning back. "I heard those, and I realized music was more than a distraction," said Smith, now 43. "It had all kinds of meaning." He and other Amish youngsters teamed up with a few non-Amish — they call them English — to form a new band, the Amish Outlaws. They've been touring every since. These days, three of the six band members grew up in the Amish community. Wednesday brought them to the Bloomsburg Fair's free stage, where they had people dancing in front of the stage. Not typical Amish These are not the Amish you see driving buggies in rural Montour County. Sure, the straw hats are the same, along with the blue shirts and black suspenders. But the Outlaws — bass player Smith, singer Hezekiah Yoder, drummer Jakob, keyboardist Amos, lead guitar Wyclef Jonathan, and guitarist Abel — also wore black shorts and sneakers. Some of them won't give their last names, some out of deference to family still in the Amish community, others because they prefer to be known only by their stage names. And the music they play — ranging from Johnny Cash to Snoop Dogg — is nothing short of electric. "Stand up! Stand up! This is not a spectator sport!" shouted Yoder as he dragged reluctant audience members out of their seats to the front of the stage. There, he set them jumping and twirling to "Shout!" by the The Isley Brothers and The Backstreet Boys' "Everybody." Fan following Abel, one of the non-Amish members of the band, kept up a clever patter, warning one man hanging back during a couples number, "If an Amish man needs to give you romantic advice, you're in trouble." They drew a solid crowd of more than 300 to their 10:30 a.m. show, many of whom danced their way up to the front before the end of the show. "My wife just loves them," said Clyde Wyland, 72, who learned about the group watching Musikfest on Service Electric Cable and came from Wilburton No. 2 to see them. "She said we've gotta see them, rain or shine. And I love them, too. I love their enthusiasm." "They get you involved," agreed Jerry Grink, 68, of West Hazleton, who became a fan after watching them on YouTube. "And they carry their notes to perfection." Amish ties remain While band members said they don't have fans among the practicing Amish — most will never hear their music — they haven't faced much backlash, either. Smith said he would have been cut off from the community if he had been baptized into the church and then left. But since he never joined, the door remains open to him. He visits his parents in Pennsylvania regularly — though calls are difficult, since his parents live in a community where many members share a single phone. Amos, who grew up with Smith, said when he visits his parents, they don't talk much about his current lifestyle. They just talk about being together. Yoder said when he was young, he used to sneak out to hear music. Most of his family has left the church and now do various types of art, he said. "I'm not religious any more," he said. "But I do believe we all have a calling. And strangely enough, this is mine." Honoring two worlds He meets a lot of former Amish people, who appreciate the show, he said. Smith explained the men are not making fun of the Amish with their performances. "But we appreciate living amongst the English," he said. "We're celebrating that different kind of life." Yoder said he still appreciates the Amish. About three months ago, he was in a car accident in Christiana, where he grew up. Most of the volunteer firefighters who came to his rescue were Amish, he said — though English had to drive the trucks. An Amish family let him sit on their stoop as he waited for State Police. Almost everyone went out of their way to help him, he said. "If there's any lesson to be learned, it's that good people are everywhere," he said. Back to the top. # # #
Amish Outlaws perform at the Middlesex County Fair The Amish Outlaws performed its wide range of music to the crowd at the Middlesex County Fair in East Brunswick on Aug. 8. Back to the top. # # #
Amish Cover Band Rocks the House in Vienna Hezekiah Yoder, one of the lead singers, immediately took to the audience, got down off the stage and went into the crowd, but then paused. "I swallowed a bug," he joked, connecting with the crowd as he went into the first song that involved jumping before "Everybody Rock Your Body," by the Backstreet Boys, and rolling into a set that included U2, a reggae hit, and "Honky Tonk Woman," by the Rolling Stones. Back to the top. # # #
Back to the top. # # # Havre de Grace Independence Day festivities are a hit with visitors Back to the top. # # #
Amish Outlaws to play at the Starboard July 6 June 29, 2017 The Starboard Restaurant in Dewey is known for throwing some of the wildest and wackiest parties on the Delaware coast, and when it comes to entertainment, it dominates the block. This summer the Starboard is hosting an outlandishly cool band, The Amish Outlaws, at 9 p.m, Thursday, July 6. While the men in the band, clad in their Amish attire, may seem like a well-placed joke, it's not. Three of the bandmates are legitimately Amish, although no longer living the community Amish lifestyle. The other three members, while not officially Amish, consider themselves to be honorary members of the club. Straight out of Lancaster, Pa., the Amish crew is adept at covering a wide range of genres and styles from rap to rock to classic hits and everything in between. From Daft Punk to Bob Marley and even R Kelly, these men jam in full Amish regalia from a catalog of hits. The backdrop of Amish clothing combined with their clear musical talent makes for a heady combination of music and slapstick. There is simply nothing like watching six dudes in suspenders belt out, "I love it when you call me Big Poppa," by The Notorious B.I.G. Steve "Monty" Montgomery knew that this band would be a perfect fit this summer at The Starboard. "People love them. And it's the kind of thing that we love having here. They are great entertainment, and they don't take themselves too seriously - it's just our style," says Montgomery. As always, this show is free and is for ages 21 and over. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, given the popularity and hilarity of the band. For more information, go to www.thestarboard.com. Back to the top. # # #
Back to the top. # # #
Back to the top. # # #
WILLIE MCBRIDE'S: Hoboken will become an 'Amish Paradise,' as one of the region's most creative cover bands takes the stage. The Amish Outlaws dress like simple Amish folk, but are known to throw down some serious 90s gangsta rap covers - in short, they must be seen to be believed. 616 Grand St, Hoboken, 201-610-1522. Back to the top. # # #
By Skip Pearlman 9/27/2015 MAHOPAC, N.Y. - The Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac was the place to be Friday night, as more than 600 guests celebrated Oktoberfest with food, drink, and the top cover band around - the wildly popular Amish Outlaws. Back to the top. # # #
By MELANIE VANDERVEER For the Pocono Record Aug. 27, 2015 at 8:52 PM Growing up with no electricity, alcohol or modern music, The Amish Outlaws sing a new tune nowadays. Leaving the Amish life after rumspringa — the time of adolescence when youngsters decide to stay or leave the community — they still keep some of the well-known Amish traditions in place for their act. They decided to combine their love of the modern world with their Amish upbringings to start a unique way of expressing themselves while entertaining others through music. "We're six guys in suspenders and straw hats jumping around like fools," said Brother Ezekiel, bass player. "I wound up deciding the Amish life wasn't the life for me. We play cover songs, and dress the way we did growing up. We respectfully poke fun at it." The group of six has been playing together for 12 years. The past seven years. it's been their full-time jobs. Moving into the English world was a process for Ezekiel, but he's enjoyed the learning experience. "It was a gradual thing for me. When I first went on rumspringa, I was able to go to the mall and movies for the first time. Growing up, I didn't hear modern music," he said. "It was very different for me, but gradual." Four of the six members were once Amish. The other two members are "honorary Amish." The shows are not typical, and no two are exactly alike. The Amish Outlaws keep the audience wondering what genre of music they'll perform next. "We have some original music we've written, but people are more receptive to us playing songs they know," he said. "We do everything from Elvis to The Beatles to Snoop Dog to Disney songs. Nothing is taboo for us. We do rock-n-roll, hip-hop, country; a little bit of everything." When asked about moving into the world of original music, Brother Ezekiel said, "Life has taught me anything can happen." But for now, they are enjoying making the crowd smile and sing along with them during their live performances. "We will eventually have a live CD out," he said. "And we'll continue touring. That's on the horizon right now." One question they get a lot is about the array of reality television shows that focus on the Amish lifestyle, such as "Amish Mafia" and "Breaking Amish." "People always ask me if 'Amish Mafia' is real. I didn't experience any of that growing up," he said. "We had Alan Beiler from 'Amish Mafia' come out to one of our shows. He's a real nice guy and we stay in touch." Back to the top. # # #
What does it sound like when the Amish fall in love with rock and roll? By Jacob deNobel A central component of the Amish faith is Rumspringa, the time immediately before adult baptism, where teenagers are let loose from their tightly controlled communities and are invited to experience the world at large before deciding to return home. Because, in the Amish church, Baptism is held until the faithful are adults, the choice to join the church is an important step in a members' development. However, following their taste of the outside world during Rumspringa, a few choose never to return. This is the case of the Amish Outlaws, a band of former Amish performers who left their home communities during Rumspringa and have formed a band, based out of their love of pop culture. The Outlaws will perform Monday at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair. Ezekiel Smith, known in the band as Brother Eazy Ezekiel said as soon as he left, though he respected the life he lived before and those who chose to stay, he knew he wanted to experience more of the world than he would ever have a chance to back home. "I saw and heard so much out here that I loved that weren't a part of the Amish life," Smith said. "I couldn't unsee and unlearn what I found. There is a separation from the outside world and I found a path that I felt was as good as the path I was on before." The Outlaws first formed in 2002, when Brothers Ezekial and Amos of the same community met Brothers Hezekiah and McMullen at the Pocono Vacation Park "Rock and Roll Hootenanny." The four instantly bonded over their shared backgrounds and soon began a band, alongside Jakob and Ishmael, two non-Amish members. Today, the band consists of Ezekiel, Amos and Hezekiah of the original four in addition to Brothers Jakob, Elijah Rule and "Big Daddy Abel." The Amish Outlaws take their inspiration from the entirety of popular music history, performing songs from artists as varied as Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Jay Z and Lady Gaga. In addition to their musical performances, they tell stories about their lives in the Amish community and where their lives have lead them following Rumspringa. Smith, who grew up listening exclusively to Amish music, said he still remembers the day he was introduced to modern performers. An English – as they refer to the non-Amish – friend of his had an extensive vinyl collection. Smith had never heard anything more than brief snippets of pop music, so his friend selected the two albums he thought would best introduce him to the world of music. Those two albums were The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall." "It was important and passionate and beautiful and amazing," Smith said. "Amish music is often just slow, religious singing that's beautiful in its own way, but it's basically just about one thing." Those two albums awoke a desire in Smith to learn more about musical history. He dove into not only rock, but country, pop, heavy metal, anything he could get his hands on. "It's like a tree with a thousand branches," Smith said. "I am still going through and finding bands that have been around for 25 or 30 years that I missed out on." The Amish Outlaws will perform Monday at the 4-H fair in the slot normally saved for the demolition derby. Fair organizer Crystal Dell said they moved the demolition derby to Saturday so that everyone who wanted to see it could have an opportunity. The move left an open slot in the schedule, one she said they decided to fill with a musical performance. When it came to decide who would perform, Dell said she listened to members of the board who had heard the Outlaws perform in the past and had kept their eye on them for several years now. Dell said the group has a devoted following, one she expects to grow following their concerts. Smith said there is always a moment when the band takes the stage in full Amish regalia, that the audience doesn't know what to do with, but slowly they come to understand what the Outlaws are really about. "We're just out there playing something to make people laugh and smile. We're having just as much fun, if not more fun than anyone out there," Smith said "We want to go out there, play a couple of songs you wouldn't expect and try and sell them to our audience. We bust our behinds to put on a good show." Back to the top. # # # Back to the top. # # # ‘The Amish Outlaws' to Perform at Pentagon Row Back to the top. # # # Cover band Amish Outlaws turns heads Back to the top. # # # From Verizon FiOS 1 News: Back to the top. # # #
Amish Outlaws band on eternal Rumspringa Back to the top. # # #
Amish Outlaws to perform in Yonkers It's a safe bet you've never seen an act quite like The Amish Outlaws before. Back to the top. # # #
Back to the top. # # #
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ festival Back to the top. # # # PART I: PART II: Back to the top. # # # From the Wed., December 18th, 2013 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. # # #
Some rebellious youth who leave the community engage in activities that are offensive to their birthright culture. For example, "Emma the Amish model" appeared on the New American Pinup website selling underwear in a provocative pose. The Amish Outlaws, a band consisting of four ex-Amish and two "honorary Amish" men, play all sorts of music in full Amish attire at various East Coast venues. Back to the top. # # # Amish Outlaws to Perform Nov. 2 in Fire & Ice at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino Dover, DE, October 10, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Popular cover band out of Lancaster, Pa., The Amish Outlaws, will perform Saturday, Nov. 2, in Fire & Ice at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Back to the top. # # #
They're legends of the cover band game. The Amish Outlaws have been playing for crowds for the past decade, bringing their joy for popular music to every concert. Half of the members are Amish-born, deciding to stay in the English world after their rumspringas. Now they play songs like "Rump Shaker." The Outlaws make a triumphant return to Billy Joe's Ribworks this Labor Day weekend. Back to the top. # # # From the Wed., September 19th, 2013 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. # # #
August 5, 2013 By John J. Moser The first weekend of Musikfest is over, but don't think weekdays means weak lineups. Back to the top. # # #
So, I've heard tell of these things called vacations where you, like, don't work. It's just a rumor I'm trying to track down before the editor comes in for my afternoon tazing, but it sounds really cool. The one that really intrigues me the most are cruises. That sounds awesome, you just get into a big floating hotel and leave behind the world for a while. And apparently you can do this with a theme! I investigated this last year upon discovering that there was a Kate Gosselin Cruise experience, which sounds sort of like the kind of thing the government would use to get information out of terrorists. Luckily for the self-esteem of the country the cruise failed to get out of dock since a whopping 12 people signed up for it. Well done, America! So since Kate on the Sea is out, what other cruises are available for those of you who get vacations? Well... The Amish Outlaws Fan Cruise 2014: I spent an hour on the Amish Outlaws website and I still have no earthly idea if they're joking on not. Apparently they are a cover band made up of six guys that left the Amish community for the traditional "Amish Gone Wild" romp that they all do when they turn 16, but they never returned to their home. They all met at the 2002 Pocono Vacation Park "Rock and Roll Hootenanny" and now travel the world doing everything from Snoop Dogg to Johnny Cash with their Lancaster, PA-style. Fans who get in on the cruise will enjoy meet and greets, three exclusive concerts complete with an open bar, and the right to tell everyone they went on an Amish Outlaw cruise instead of something stupid like hitting the ocean with Kid Rock. At least the Outlaws won't try to sell you Kentucky bourbon by saying "Welcome to Texas." Seriously, that billboard on 610 is like the wrongest thing on the freeway. Ports of Apparitions Cruise: Now, the term "ghost ship" makes me tingle because I thought that flick was the best horror movie of 2002. No, I don't care if you did or not because having one f means never having to listen to doo doo heads. Unfortunately, this cruise lacks a haunted crew and Francesca Rettondini naked, but it will spend seven days in the Caribbean stopping at supposedly haunted sites and ancient ruins. There will also be stops in New Orleans and Mexico, which the cruise somewhat racistly refers to as a culture with a history of violence so gruesome that blood stained specters must hang around. Nothing screams fun like the screams of the damned echoing across the waves! Duck Commander Cruise: My dad watches Duck Dynasty, but then again so does every person's dad who has kids old enough to make snide remarks about it on the internet. Nonetheless, the show has become this huge cultural phenomenon, though I would remind the Robertsons of the fall of the Gosselin Dynasty I mentioned in the opening. Oh well, at least the Robertsons actually make something other than guaranteed work for family therapists. As far as I can tell, the cruise is basically a chance to bug the stars non-stop for four days while they're trapped on a boat, though there will also be a cooking class by Miss Kay. I'm not sure what the appeal of meeting reality TV stars is exactly. Isn't seeing how they go about regular life the whole point of the show? There will also be music provided by American Idol winner Scott McCreery, who is now the second musical act I have mentioned in this article who I would pass over for an Amish band doing Lady Gaga covers. The Premium Barbie Experience: I have a love/hate relationship with Barbie. My daughter has 13 different animated adventures, everything ranging from Barbie as a fairy to Barbie as Rapunzel to Barbie as Barbie taking care of her annoying little sisters. For DVDs I pick up for $5 there is worse my daughter could watch. This Barbie cruise though... for $350 you can let your daughter sleep in a pink princess room, attend teas parties, participate in a fashion show, have Barbie movie nights, Barbie story time, take dance classes, and meet a woman who I'm sure is very nice and looks vaguely like Barbie. Here's why I think this is a little insane; Who spends $350 on an all immersive plastic experience for a girl age 4 - 11? This isn't space camp. It's not even camp camp where you at least learn what berries will give you the trots. It's basically you dropping a month's groceries for your kid to live inside a commercial and pretending to be Lindsay Lohan right before her person Herbie went off the pier. The Barbie movies are already a parade of the firstiest of first world problems, and I'm not sure if a week of treating your kid like a doll they play with is a terribly healthy idea. Jeff Dunham's Just Add Water: Comedian ventriloquist Jeff Dunham convinced me once that I had developed the ability to travel back in time. I remember watching him perform on TV in high school, thenhe just disappeared. Ten years later I was flipping through the channels before bed and there he was performing the exact same jokes and looking the same. I was certain that I was going to wake up next to a chubby blond with daddy issues instead of my wife, and wondering if there were still tickets left for Goldberg vs. Bam Bam Bigelow on WWF Raw. Nope, he's managed to make a comeback, mostly through a ridiculously racist set of new puppets and tapping into a healthy does of Islamaphobia on top of that. You can even spend a week at sea with him. Or maybe not. Looks like the cruise has been indefinitely postponed due to it "not aligning with his fans vacation plans" according to the website. It's actually really sad, as the tone on the site basically says that everyone on Dunham's email list responded with a variant on, "Yeah, I'd go, but I've got that thing at the place and you know how the economy is under Obama." I mean, it would be sad if it didn't mean that people realized that going on a Jeff Dunham cruise was the human soul's equivalent of your dad leaving with a bag of puppies and coming back with neither. Jef With One F is a recovering rock star taking it one day at a time. You can read about his adventures in The Bible Spelled Backwards or connect with him on Facebook. Back to the top. # # #
The Danbury Fair mall Summer Nights Concert Series will kick off with a very audible bang on Wednesday. The mall's annual Fourth of July fireworks display will light up the sky and guests will be treated to a musical performance by the Amish Outlaws at 7 p.m. The concert will take place outside the mall between the Cheesecake Factory and L.L. Bean. The Amish Outlaws are a group of real life rock 'n' roll rebels hailing from Lancaster, Pa. The high-energy cover band performs in traditional Amish attire and several of the members were raised Amish. The band shatters stereotypes by playing a wide variety of music that ranges from Johnny Cash to Jay Z, and Lady Gaga to Snoop Dogg. The group might just be the Amish answer to Matisyahu, who was a practicing Jewish reggae artist and used to perform in full Hasidic garb. The unusual way the band dresses is arguably just a gimmick to get your attention, but once they've got your attention the band members hold it with their skills as performers. The group's lead singer, Brother Hezekiah X, belts out songs in a variety of styles with a deep and powerful voice. A highlight of the group's repertoire is a rousing and rollicking rendition of the Dropkick Murphy's Celtic rock hit "I'm Shipping Up To Boston." Four out of the original six members of the Amish Outlaws were born and raised in Lancaster and had a strict Amish upbringing. No electricity from land lines, no alcohol, no musical instruments. After they turned 16 they decided not to go back to the Amish way of life. While in the outside world they discovered a love of modern music and decided to form a band. To that end the four Amish musicians enlisted the help of two non-Amish rockers. The free outdoor concert series at the mall will continue Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. until Aug. 7. Danbury Fair mall between the Cheesecake Factory and L.L. Bean, 7 Backus Ave., Danbury. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Free. 203- 830-4380, www.danburyfairmall.com. Back to the top. # # #
Back to the top. # # # From the Wed., March 27th, 2013 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. # # # From The Ocean Signal on Thursday, February 14th, 2013 Jackson's 21 South Parties Like It's 1899 By Phil Stilton
"Straight Outta Lancaster", the Amish Outlaws, a band that features real ex-Amish community members, have gone from the fields to the stage, even earning themselves the "Top Entertainment Pick" award by New York Magazine in their annual Winter Weddings issue in 2012. Unlike Lebanon Levi and his small gang of Amish tough guys who claim in the television show to run Lancaster County with an iron fist, the Amish Outlaws rule the stage and the audience at each of their performances. While the Amish Mafia are out tossing buggies, running hut parties and making sure there's no adultery in their community, the Amish Outlaws made sure the "English" patrons, that's what they call non-Amish Americans, at 21 South had one of the wildest nights out in Jackson in 2013.
According to Hezekiah, the three had left the Amish community years ago in search of a new life and were brought together ten years ago through the love of "English" rock music, a taboo in Amish society. As an Amish kid growing up, he said he had very limited access to rock music, but would sneak out with his friends to the local clubs and found a new calling in life. It was one far from the hard life in the Amish community, a hard life on the road as a musician. As far as the Amish Outlaws ever bringing their road show back home to Lancaster, Hezekiah said, it's doubtful. "Probably not," he said. "It depends on the situation, but I'd say that's not going to happen. We actually have a big Amish following in Maryland and they come out for us. They're a different type of Amish down there. Like, the guy I met once at a gas station, he had a Back Street Boys kind of beard, so clearly he's able to use the good razors, plus all the Amish girls he was with were smoking hot… I mean way too hot. They even had tans and not the tan you would get outdoors. They went to the tanning salon… just they're wearing an Amish outfit. Maybe they got some different rules, even the fact that they were at a gas station." While fans of bands sometimes come to shows in costume, the band says that quite often people come out to their shows with Amish style clothes, especially in Maryland. "There's a possibility I might move to Maryland one day and run for Congress. It's ridiculous how much of a following we have there," he added. He added, many come out with an Amish outfit and bald cap. What should you expect at an Amish Outlaws performance? "We get people motivated and really moving, really shaking on the dance floor," Hezekiah said in an interview with the Ocean Signal. "I think because of that, generally, we had success everywhere we have played." The Outlaws play a wide range of covers from Dropkick Murphys to Elvis to Toby Keith to Dr. Dre to Marvin Gaye, but you won't hear them play any of the Amish classics. In case you're wondering whether the television show, Amish Mafia is actually real, Hezekiah says he doubts it, but if it is, it's not sanctioned by the community like it's portrayed on television. "I never saw anything like that when I lived there, so I'm going to say it's probably not true. I left 20 years ago, so anything can happen, but I ‘d say no," he said. Photos by Phil Stilton Back to the top. # # #
Back to the top. # # #
Hudson Water Club Hosts Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert Featuring the Amish Outlaws Cover Band BY MICHAEL RICONDA West Haverstraw - In an effort to raise funds for North Rockland residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the Hudson Water Club hosted a benefit show featuring the Amish Outlaws cover band on the night before Thanksgiving. The Club organized the event through Help North Rockland, a group created to provide aid to area businesses and residents, including the 97 people currently being housed at the Stony Point Center who lost their homes in the storm. The Hudson Water Club itself was hit particularly hard by the storm. The November 21 concert was the Club's first night open since the storm, which nearly destroyed the restaurant's deck area. In an effort to contribute to the cause, The Amish Outlaws offered to perform at the event with their unorthodox but energetic stage act. The band members dressed in traditional Amish clothing and covered a variety of popular songs. The act is not merely a gimmick. Hezekiah Yoder and three other band members were born into the Old Order Amish community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The band itself was put together in Philadelphia about ten years ago and released original material until they decided to take inspiration from their cultural roots. "It's been beautiful,"€ Yoder said. "We're about to celebrate our tenth birthday, and it's been a wonderful experience through-and-through," Yoder said. The band has a particularly strong connection to North Rockland and the Hudson Water Club. Yoder and other band members are personal friends of the Club's owners and felt a compelling need to provide help by doing what they love. "When you tie in the fact that we're actually doing something for charity tonight, for good people that got really hurt in this storm, I'm not lying here, I'm jumping around in my pants I'm so happy." Back to the top. # # # From the Wed., November 21st, 2012 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. # # # From the Wed., September 19th, 2012 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. From the Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 issue of Steppin Out Magazine Ezekiel wrote a guest column. The put him on the cover:
This is the guest column he wrote:
The Amish Outlaws were also featured in the Happy Hour comic that issue:
Back to the top. From the Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. From the January 18th, 2012 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
(Click the image for a larger version) Back to the top. From the October 19th, 2011 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. From the 2012 Winter Weddings Issue of New York Magazine
SIX RAPPING EX-LUDDITES Three out of the six members of this cover band were raised Amish, but aside from dressing in the traditional garb for shows, they abandoned the lifestyle long ago. The group can tackle ballads, country, rock and roll, and hip-hop. "We'll go from 'Let's Get It On' by Marvin Gaye to 'Jump Around' by House of Pain and then take a hard right into 'Shout' by the Isley Brothers," says bassist Brother "Eazy" Ezekiel. "We've even had a grandmother at a wedding waving her cane in the air to A Tribe Called Quest. Seriously." From $6,500. amishoutlaws.com View the article online here. Back to the top.
The Amish Outlaws Back to the top.
Band of Outlaws Rocks Out Amish Style You're standing at an outdoor music festival. Six men dressed in traditional Amish garb - straw hats, collarless hooked shirts, suspenders with black pants - take the stage. Back to the top. From the August 3rd, 2011 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
Back to the top. From the July 6th, 2011 issue of Steppin Out Magazine
(click the image for a larger version) Back to the top.
The Windrift Resort Hotel: The Amish Outlaws are one of the best party bands I've ever seen. The first time I saw them, their energy roused me out of a crabby mood and actually got me to shake my very non-rhythmic tail on the dance floor. But because they live in New York, we have to share them with bar crowds in other states. Boo hoo. So if you're near Avalon tonight, take advantage of their presence at 9 p.m. at Windrift's Blue Wave Lounge. If you're doing the family thing, you can bring the kiddies to see them at the Mercer County Park Freedom Festival at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. They wear costumes so little ones should get a kick out of them and maybe even be moved enough to wiggle their cute diapered tushies. Windrift: 80th Street & The Beach, Avalon. (609) 368-5175. www.windrifthotel.com; Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. www.wpst.com/freedomfestival Back to the top.
The Amish Outlaws: Breaking Every Rule I was sitting around Saturday morning watching both the weather, and my list of potential gigs that I was thinking about going to when an old friend from high school, Barry Van. posts on my wall that "The Amish Outlaws" were playing at Rookies in Cromwell that night. Now I have known about these guys for about two years, and have been dying to see them, so, as always I am all in. Barry and I decide to get there early, as Rookies, as big as it is, can fill up fast. I have been there before, and gotten there late, only to end up standing in line. So, early it was, and we did get a bite to eat. BTW, totally blew the "diet' and got the Rookies appetizer sample. Yup, all deep fried, pure fat but, damn that was good. Rookies is your typical sports bar with flat screens everywhere, pool tables, and video machines. And a stage with a serious sound system. This was going to be good.
One of the most covered artists today is Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". Many bands do it, to a varying degree of success ,but they all have female leads. What blew me away was when Brother Hezekiah X did as about a good a cover as I have heard. And then, at the end of the night he covers AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds" and is one of a very few to actually sing it without turning blue. Effortless, and almost as if you had AC/DC right there in front of you. The fun part of the night was when The Amish Outlaws went Hip Hop. Imagine a bunch of white guys, in traditional Amish attire doing Snoop Dog and doing it well. Kind of the same impression when the Beastie Boys first burst on the scenes. You know, "but they are white. And Jewish" Seriously, throw those stereotypes out the window already. Really also liked there take on a "Men Without Hats" cover of "Safety Dance". Now this is a synth heavy song to start with, but they threw a really cool spin on the synth line. Kind of made it a 21st century modern rock hip hop thing. Very cool. So, save the date of May 14th, don't eat dinner, and head up to rookies with me, and have an Amish good time. Back to the top.
Amish Outlaws bring curious joy to Monroe
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three members of the five man band are ex-Amish, including lead singer Brother Hezekiah, bass player Brother Ezekiel and keyboardist Brother Amos.
At about 10:30, The Outlaws finally take the stage. Let me just throw in the names here. Brother Hezekiah X. Brother Amos Def, Brother Big Daddy Abel, Brother Jakob the Pipe Layer, Brother IshmaeL L Cool J, and Brother Eazy Ezekiel. And, yes, four out of the six are Amish born. They decided during their "Rumspringa" that the "English Way" was their style of life. Now these guys play some serious music. Anything from Beastie Boys to Barry White. Elvis to U2. Quite a variety. But here is the great part. From old time Rock and Roll to the best of today's hip Hop, they nailed it. Seriously, I was amazed at not just the ability to play, but the vocals were amazing.
 |
By Sean
Our next spotlight artist is The Amish Outlaws. If you are looking for an Amish cover band, look no further than this band straight outta Lancaster. Rock, rap, hip hop, country, reggaeton...you name it, they play it. Formed by real life Amish men that never returned from their Rumspringa, The Outlaws have are popular and hard working musicians that regularly gig all in the northeast, from Connecticut down to Maryland. Founding member and bass player Brother Ezekiel answers our questions below:
Lineup:
Ishmael L. Cool J on guitar.
Jakob the Pipe Layer on drums and bonds.
Amos Def on keyboards and vocals.
Big Daddy Abel on lead vocals and guitar.
Hezekiak X on lead vocals.
Eazy Ezekiel on bass.
How long have you been performing?
The band's been together since 2002. We played our first show in July of 2003. We started off as another band called "Elephant's Gerald" but grew from an elephant into The Amish Outlaws.
How long performing in NYC?
Our first New York City show was in 2006. Thursday, January 25th, 2006, so today is our 5 year anniversary of our New York City debut. Do they make cards for that?
Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.):
I was Joan of Arc in my former life. Members have been in a few different bands. Ish was in The Monkees for a few years. They were a big influence on The Beatles. He was like the Pete Best, until he punched Micky Dolenz in the face. Abel has good solo rock and roll he does. You can find it out there if you look. The rest of us have been in a few different bands, but not much of note. Amos and Hez and I grew up Amish, so to say we had a limited musical childhood would be pretty on the money. It wasn't until we got out here in The World that we dove in to music head first. We still haven't come up for air. Just sandwiches.
Favorite venues to play:
Oooh, so many. Looney's Pub in Bel Air, MD is always looney. Pun intended. Seacrets in Ocean City, MD is also a trip. You know, in the good way. Both are HUGE, always packed, always fun. The Hudson Water Club in West Haverstraw, NY is so great, especially in the summer. We play right out on the deck near the water and they treat us so well there. Cancun Cantina West in Hagerstown, MD is like stepping into a cowboy blender, but without the carnage. People are really into us in Maryland. It is nice! Glenrowan and Burke's in Yonkers, NY are both like family to us by now, the staff and the patrons. Vintage in White Plains, NY is the same way. That Declan... he is always ready with a hand shake and a scotch. I could go on and on. Really, we are lucky enough to be at a point now where we like just about every place we play.
Musical influences:
Since we are a cover band, it is hard to say... other bands that are in the same line we are and do things well definitely influence us to keep on top of our game, as much as we can. The Nerds are the first and the best. No one does it like they do and no one ever could. There are some newer bands like Mashwork Orange that are pushing the envelope. They do all mash-ups, like a DJ would play. A band like Johnny Drama are great musicians and are incorporating a lot of visual elements into their show, which is great. There are original bands like Fishbone that I know inspire me. The energy they put out in a performance is insane. You can't go to a Fishbone show without leaving with a big, jaw-cracking smile.
Blatant self-promotion: What would you like to plug?
Our web site mostly. AmishOutlaws.com. It has the skinny on us. And the fat. And our shows. We play all over... lots of places in New York, but up and down the northeastern coast.
Linkage:
website: AmishOutlaws.com
facebook: The-Amish-Outlaws
Youtube: AmishOutlaws (But search for the band name and loads of videos come up from other folks.)
Twitter: @amishoutlaws
Myspace: amishoutlaws
fotki: amishoutlaws
Where can we buy your music?
We don't have any for sale right now. We may have a live CD at some point... it's been in the works for a while.
Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live in NYC.
Hez isn't the greatest driver in the world. He knows it, so I am not making mean by saying it here. Anyway, one time that we were playing in the city we were heading to the club and it was a real white-knuckle ride. Jakob was in the back, I was shotgun, Hez was at the wheel. I think he ran at least two red lights straight up. Changed lanes a few times without signaling. Drove on the median. Made a right on red... in addition to the two red lights. Anyway, we are getting close to the club and are going down this two-lane road with a walkway or sidewalk in the middle. On the walkway, we see a guy with long, curly brown hair and shorts and tube socks. I look. Hez looks. As we pass him by, we realize it is Lips from the band ANVIL. Look them up if you don't know them already. Hez screams, "It's LIPS!" and immediately starts to panic, trying to find a way to turn around and get back to him. There is NO way he can do it without it being illegal or dangerous so I start screaming, "Hez!! Stop!! No!!" and he goes, "BUT IT'S LIPS!!" He was right, but I finally got him to stay the course. I kind of regret it though.
Oh, and Hez made a New Year's resolution - no more tickets and, to his credit, he has been driving a whole lot more sensibly.
Any advice to someone just starting out?
Give it everything you have, no matter if there are five people watching you or fifteen hundred. And remember, it's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice. And don't take any wooden nickels.
Upcoming Shows:
You can catch the The Amish Outlaws at several shows in the NYC area, including:
Thursday, January 27 - Burke's - Yonkers, NY
Thursday, February 3 - Doyler & Dunney's - New City, NY
Friday, February 4 - Vintage - White Plains, NY
Thursday, February 10 - Glenrowan Tavern - Yonkers, NY
Sunday, February 20 - Rory Dolan's - Yonkers, NY
Thursday, March 10 - Burke's - Yonkers, NY
Friday, March 18 - Bar A - Lake Como, NJ
Saturday, March 19 - Willie McBride's - Hoboken, NJ
Thursday, March 24 - The Red Lion, New York, NY
Back to the top.
Band of the Week: Amish Outlaws take Borgata's Gypsy Bar by storm
Thursday, January 6, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 1:13 pm, Wed Jan 5, 2011.
Band of the Week: Amish Outlaws take Borgata's Gypsy Bar by storm
By REBECCA GRITES, For At The ShorepressofAtlanticCity.com
The Amish Outlaws, a cover band quite unlike any you've seen before, may hail from an honest-to-goodness Amish background in Pennsylvania. But the boys in this band love to rock at the southern New Jersey shore.
"The crowds in southern New Jersey are varied and typically wonderful," says Eazy Ezekiel, the band's bassist and background vocalist for the group, which plays a blend of rock and hip hop. "We play way down in Avalon where people are a little more refined, as well as in Atlantic City, where there are locals and also people from all over. It's great because we meet so many different kinds of people. The Jersey people are pretty quick to party from the get-go."
A party lifestyle is a far cry from their upbringing for three of The Amish Outlaws, including Ezekiel, as well as keyboardist Amos Def and singer Hezekiah X. Ezekiel explains the trio left its Amish heritage and landed in New York City, where music became their prime motivation.
"Originally, we started playing in a band just for fun - we had no real direction. One day, I decided we should be The Amish Outlaws, and it just happened. I've always been a bigger appreciator of music than a performer, but playing music with my friends is the most fun I can think of. And getting to do it for a living makes it so much better."
And, theses Outlaws don't take their biggest asset - their fanbase - for granted. As the band prepares to play Friday, Jan. 7, at the Gypsy Bar located inside Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, Ezekiel understands he is able to return to such a great venue because of the people who support the band's music.
"The people come back, again and again, and bring friends and family, and that is what makes us most proud," he explains. "It tells us we are doing something to make that person feel good enough to want to turn other people onto it. We appreciate that more than just about anything when it comes to being in a band."
Roster: Ishmael L. Cool J., guitar; Jakob the Pipe Layer, drums; Amos Def, keyboards and vocals; Hezekiah X., vocals; Big Daddy Abel, vocals and guitar; Eazy Ezekiel, bass and background vocals.
What To Expect: "People can expect six men in full Amish attire acting the fool, falling down and playing lots of songs you probably forgot you loved," Ezekiel says. "We do everything we can to make you laugh and smile. And we involve the crowd, whether they like it or not."
Go See Them: Friday, Jan. 7, at the Gypsy Bar, located inside Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City. The show starts at 10:30 p.m. Call 609-317-1000 for more info. The Outlaws will also be back in our area Friday, Feb. 25, as the band plays Merighi's Savoy Inn, located at 4940 E. Landis Ave. in Vineland. Call Merighi's for more info at 856-691-8051.
Fan Favorites: "In Jersey they like a lot of rock, and hip-hop, ironically, seems to go over just about everywhere," Ezekiel says. "Other songs that always go over are 'Whatcha Want' by the Beastie Boys, as well as songs by Bon Jovi and Lady Gaga. 'Shout' by the Isley Brothers is huge, too. We were kind of hesitant to play that song because we thought it was so played out. But wow, we were wrong. We played it twice the first night we did it - no kidding! And, we've been playing 'Baby Got Back' for, like, eight years now, and we can't stop."
Originals: "Oh, we stick to covers!" Ezekiel exclaims. "We wrote a song or two early on, but it was the kind of stuff that only we would want to hear, and even we'd fast forward some parts."
Influences: The Nerds, Mashwork Orange, Johnny Drama, Drop Dead Sexy and The Benjamins made Ezekiel's list of musical influences. "I guess in the cover band scene, we are lucky enough to have a lot of bands that are doing very different stuff, so we are more comparable in that we are different," he adds. "Those bands (listed above) each have their own niche, and people respond to that, so, we are comparable in our incomparability."
Back to the top.
From the Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine
Click the image for a larger version.
Back to the top.
Amish Outlaws
Briana Gilmartin
Issue date: 11/19/10 Section: Local Music
From Bon Jovi to Jay-Z, Meatloaf to Sir Mix-A-Lot, the Amish Outlaws play it all. Coming to the stage in full Amish attire, this band has a little bit of something for everyone, and performs a great show to boot.
Four of the original members were born and raised in a traditional Amish lifestyle in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, complete with no electricity, no alcohol, and no music. As those of you who have seen the movie "Sex Drive" know, around age 16, Amish teens take part in the tradition of Rumspringa, where they get to have fun in the Devil's Playground (the American way of life). These four brothers, Hezekiah X, McMullen, Eazy Ezekiel, and Amos Def met up at a "Rock and Roll Hootennany" in the Poconos, and proceeded to bond over music. Jakob the Pipe Layer and Ishmael L Cool J, two Americans that became honorary Amish after joining the band, soon joined them. Big Daddy Abel joined in 2007 to complete the puzzle.
The band plays shows all over the area, ranging from Maryland to New York and Connecticut. When visiting Hoboken, they make their usual stop at Willie McBride's on Grand Street. Their latest stop was this past Saturday, November 13.
Check out the band at www.amishoutlaws.com for a full list of show dates, more information about the band itself, and the set list of songs they can play. You can also see them on Facebook and get event invites to their shows.
Back to the top.
 |
 |
Amish Outlaws Return to Hoboken
Band performs an eclectic set list ranging from 50 Cent to Neil Diamond
By Jason Stahl | October 14, 2010
The six-member band Amish Outlaws are performing at Willie McBride's this Saturday.
The Amish Outlaws are returning to Hoboken, performing at Willie McBrides on Saturday, October 16, for the fifth time in four years. For anyone who has never seen the Amish Outlaws, it's a literal rump shaker: the last time I saw them perform, they invited all the women on stage for an ass shaking contest after an hour of jumping around, getting the entire audience involved and wanting more music.
The first time you see them, what'll come to mind is the following thought: "Are these guys really Amish?"
Some are, some aren't.
Four of the original membersBrothers Hezekiah X, McMullen, Eazy Ezekiel, and Amos Defwere born and raised in Lancaster, Pa., and had a strict Amish upbringing, which meant no electricity, no alcohol, and especially no musical instruments. At age 16, these true Outlaws decided to take part in the Amish tradition of Rumspringa, where Amish teens live free of any code of conduct.
After experiencing all of life's vices (remember the movie Kingpin?) the Amish Outlaws came together in 2002 at an actual hootenannya rock 'n' roll versionin the Poconos. Still wearing their traditional Amish attiredark pants, solid blue shirtsleeves, suspenders, and a hatthe brothers noticed each other's talent.
The two other members of the band, Jakob the Pipe Layer and Ishmael L Cool J, are not Amish (referred to as "English") but they became honorary Amish when they joined. The final piece of the bandBrother Big Daddy Abeljoined in 2007.
When you see an Amish Outlaw show, the band is still rocking in their full Amish clothing and they release what they call "all of their pent up energy with an infectious joy." You never know what songs will be belted out as they cover some of the greatest hits from the greatest artists over the past 50 years from all genres of music. It's rare to hear House of Pain, Neil Diamond, Bon Jovi, 50 Cent, Cypress Hill, and AC/DC all in one night, particularly performed live.
The Outlaws no longer abide by Amish law (then they wouldn't be outlaws, no?). They drive carsno horse and buggyto and from shows and drink. You'll want to buy these guys at least a pint as a thank you for such a kick-ass show. You'll also get the urge to snap their suspenders, which is encouraged, however, not too hard. Lastly, don't ask for their hats. They've lost too many and claim not to have good hair (or none, in some cases).
And for you engaged couples, the Amish Outlaws are available to perform at weddings.
Amish Outlaws hit the microphones at 11 p.m. at Willie McBride's, located at 616 Grand Street.
Back to the top.
From the Friday, August 6, 2010 edition of The Frederick News-Post
The Amish Outlaws
Band shares musical passion after insular upbringing
Originally published August 06, 2010
By Lauren LaRocca
News-Post Staff 
When Brother Eazy Ezekiel and Brother Hezekiah X, now musicians, left their strict Amish lives as teenagers and stepped into what they call the outside world, they were hit with a wonderful splash of music -- rap, psychedelic rock, jazz, blues -- kind of like one of their Amish Outlaws shows. Before that, they'd heard mostly church hymns.
"We came into the world and heard all this stuff ... coming from a life that was so constrained," said Ezekiel, on bass and vocals for the Amish Outlaws.
The band formed about eight years ago, shortly after their emergence into the world, from the shared love of music of four former-Amish guys, plus two honorary Amish members: Brother Jakob the Pipe Layer (drums) and Brother Big Daddy Abel (lead vocals, guitar). The remainder of the band includes Brother Amos Def (keyboards, guitar, banjo, vocals) and Brother Ishmael L Cool J (guitar).
They've performed from Vermont to Washington, D.C., and once in Vegas throughout the past seven years. Their primary gigs, though, are in Pennsylvania and its surrounding states -- Amish country. Tonight, they'll play Cancun Cantina in Hagerstown.
The first album Ezekiel heard in the outside world was "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" -- on vinyl.
Before that, it was snippets of songs in malls and elevators and restaurants, he said. (Yes, even elevator music was interesting, at that point.)
Needless to say, he was blown away by The Beatles.
Next came Pink Floyd's "The Wall."
"Music became my passion," he said. "I still can't get enough."
They all listen to whatever they can get their hands on, and their shows follow suit.
But to show their roots, they wear traditional Amish clothing when they perform -- hats and all. They use it as a gimmick, they said, not disrespectfully.
Ezekiel, 35, is still close to his family, and some of his brothers have gone to shows, but "my parents never would," he said.
"My family were the musicians of the area," said Hezekiah, 36, adding that he also comes from an unusually small family -- one brother and one sister -- and that some of his family eventually left the Amish life.
"I was born with a voice that could do a lot of different things," he added.
He left Amish living primarily because he wanted to be a musician.
The band plays all cover songs because, well, "there's no Paul McCartney in the band," Hezekiah said.
"We're about getting the audience going," Ezekiel said, "making the people smile. The best way we know to do that is play the songs that they know ... the guilty pleasure songs that they haven't heard in five years."
"Also -- give me the loot, give me the loot!" Hezekiah said.
"We're not here for a higher artistic purpose," Ezekiel agreed. "We're here to make people smile and be happy."
Their tastes are fairly similar and still eclectic. Ishmael is 53 and into Clapton, Cream -- stuff from his era, they said, while Ezekiel's favorite is heavy metal.
"Some of it we like because it's ridiculous," Ezekiel said.
"We do 'Nothing Compares To You' -- Sinead O'Connor," Hezekiah said. "There's something really disgusting about a big bald guy singing that. And I'm talking about me.
"It's sort of a nice mix. Nice, ridiculous, blasphemous and fun."
Back to the top.
From the August 12-25 issue of Night & Day Magazine. By Bill Bodkin. The text of this article originally appeared in the B&B Entertainment Blog. You can read the unedited version here.
Back to the top.
The Amish Outlaws
By Anna
Definitely the best band I've ever seen at a wedding (and I've been to, uh, a few.)
Possibly the most fun band I will ever see anywhere.
They played at Shay and Matt's wedding at Essex Yacht Club in CT this weekend, and despite raging thunderstorms, absurd humidity and heat heat heat, I think EVERYONE danced. I know I did.
 |
If you've seen these guys, you know what I mean. Yes, really Amish. Yes, really awesome and entertaining and fun.
If you haven't seen them, get thee to YouTube and watch these guys take on Baby Got Back, Start Me Up, Let's Get it On and Living On A Prayer, just for STARTERS.
They ended the night with I've Had the Time of My Life, for pete's sake. I LOVED them!
Find them at a place near you, and see them. You're welcome.
Back to the top.
From the Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 issue of Steppin' Out Magazine
Click the image for a larger version.
Back to the top.
 |
bill bodkin interviews one of the most unique cover bands to hit the scene- the amish outlaws.
I've seen a lot of crazy things during my career covering the Jersey Shore nightlife scene - but nothing beats watching a group of Amish men busting out "Ain't Nothin' But a G Thang." It was 2005 during Bar Anticipation's annual Spring Bash festival that I saw a group of guys dressed like the Amish walking around the mega-club. The crowd was abuzz - an air of confusion, interest and disbelief as a group of sweaty guys in black hats and blue shirts walking around, mingling with the happening crowd like it was just another day at the office. In the middle of the show the guys were called on stage by the band Dog Voices, to perform a couple of songs. As a member of the crowd, I saw hundreds of people in hushed anticipation waiting for the performance to start. By the time the group broke into the legendary Snoop and Dre collaboration, the entire bar was on its feet, bouncing to sick flow of a bunch of pale boys from Lancaster.
On that night, the legend of The Amish Outlaws was born. From there the band of cleverly named musicians - Brother Eazy Ezekiel (bass, vocals), Brother Amos Def (keyboards, banjo, vocals, guitar), Brother Big Daddy Abel (lead vocals, guitar), Brother Hezekiah X (lead vocals), Brother Ishmael L Cool J (guitar) and Brother Jakob the Pipe Layer (drums), have become one of the most popular and in-demand acts not only at the Shore but all over the northeast.
Recently we sat down with Brother Eazy Ezekiel for a rather off-beat Q&A
Bill Bodkin: The biggest question that's been posed to me as someone who covers the cover bands is "are the Amish Outlaws REALLY Amish?" So, are you Amish?
Brother Eazy Ezekiel: Three of us were born and raised Amish, yes. We don't practice the faith and never joined Church, but we are still Amish the way you are still Jamaican even if you do not live in Jamaica. Bodkin is a Jamaican last name, right?
BB: Explain how you left the Amish people?
BEE: In a car.
The Amish don't believe in baptism as a child. You make the choice as an adult to be baptized. Before you make the decision either way, you go on Rumspringa and experience the outside world. We got a taste. Then another taste. Then pulled up a chair at the buffet and settled in for a long meal and here we are.
BB: How did you meet the other members of your band?
BEE: I grew up with Amos. We met Hez at a vacation park in the Poconos. Hez was in prison with Ishmael in opposing gangs, but they put their differences aside once they got on the outside. Turned out they were both wrongfully incarcerated. What are the chances? Jakob wandered in to a greasy burger place where I was working looking for directions. I tried three times and he just kept up winding up back there, so after the third time he just decided to stay. I am horrible at giving directions.
BB: Explain the difficulties you experienced transitioning from the Amish world to modern world? (I don't if modern is the correct word I'm looking for)
BEE: Well, I didn't just jump right in to the outside world. It was a slow process. When I started Rumspringa I would just go out among the English (non-Amish). To the mall. Wal-mart. The movies. I acclimated myself before deciding to get an apartment in the area, and then threw caution to the wind and decided to move to New York. Now that was a bit of a culture shock. I don't live in the city, but pretty close. I think for anyone moving from a rural area to the suburbs though there would be a big adjustment, but on the whole, the transition wasn't all that difficult. Especially once I discovered black coffee.
BB: What was the inspiration to form a band?
BEE: We loved music. We didn't hear much growing up. Here and there. I heard Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and it changed my life and dove in head first and it went from loving it to wanting to play it. Amos took to music like a duck to a junebug. Hez always had a good set of pipes. We had played in other bands before but when we met Hez and our original ‘other lead singer,' Brother McMullen, suddenly "The Amish Outlaws" made sense. Brother McMullen's actual name is Gerold by the way, but you didn't hear that from me.
BB: Can you explain how you brought in two non-Amish members into your band.
BEE: Because there aren't many good Amish guitar players. Yngwie [Malmsteen], maybe. But I hear he is only half Amish.
BB: Why become a cover band? Why not become an original group?
BEE: Well, we had played in some original bands before. When we started this band, we did have original songs. Even played one or two out a few times, but the covers were so much fun because of the reaction we got from the crowd. We aren't in this for any deep artistic reasons. We love playing music and making people smile and laugh. Besides, ever been in an original band? Man, that is a pain in the rear.
BB: How was the band discovered?
BEE: Wait. We were discovered?
BB: I can remember one of your first shows being at the 2005 Bar A Spring Bash, do you remember that show? If so, explain that first big night as a band. Can you talk about the initial reaction the band received?
BEE: Well, that wasn't one of our first shows. We played our first show on July 21st, 2003 and played a bunch more between then and 2005. That Bar A gig was our first at the Jersey shore, and kind of a turning point for the band where I guess you could say things started to take off. I do definitely remember that show. At least the first few hours. We walked around the crowd and made friends with people. Then [Rob] Monte and his band at the time, Dog Voices, were kind enough to let us jump up and play two songs on their gear. We did "Milkshake" by Kelis and "G Thang" by Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre and the place just exploded. Not literally, Bar A is still there and intact, but people went nuts. It was exciting. It felt like something big was happening. Turned out it was just gas, though.
The infamous Bar A Show
BB: Was the band ever pigeon-holed as "just a gimmick band?"
BEE: Yeah, I am sure we were. You hear chatter. I think when folks see us we are able to convince them that it is not just a gimmick. We sweat WAY too much to be a gimmick band.
BB: Talk about why the band infuses hip-hop, especially 90s gangsta rap into sets?
BEE: Because we love it. One of the things about growing up Amish is we weren't raised on a certain type of music. Like the friends I have that grew up English usually grew up listening to one kind of music. You were a rock guy, or a rap guy, or a country guy. Sure, as you got older your tastes expanded but it seems like the first kind of music a person latched on to winds up being the real passion. When we got out here we listened to it all. Rap. Rock. Metal. Country. Western. Dance. Funk. So when it came to the kind of music we chose to play, it was what we loved. Rap is in that big mish-mosh. I think a lot of bands figure they can't play rap stuff, but if you put the time in you can play any kind of music, really. I guess that is our selfish reason for doing it. But, really, it is because it shocks the heck out of people. They don't expect it, and we love that look of surprise. And it seems most people like rap. And there is something funny about 6 guys in Amish gear playing hip hop, yeah?
BB: How and why did Big Daddy Abel join the group? Was he also of Amish descent?
BEE: He joined it because he experienced a momentary lapse of reason. McMullen retired to focus on family. He made the right decision and has a beautiful family and a calm life. Big Daddy Abel was introduced to us by our friend Cara at a show. We were in the market for a vocalist and he was one. Then he joined us and became a ‘cover band guy' and stopped being a vocalist. He fits like one of those square pegs. And no, he is not of Amish descent. He is of Jersey descent.
BB: What are some crazy things that have happened during an Amish Outlaws show?
 |
BEE: Huh. We've had bras thrown on stage. No kidding. I almost broke my ankle once, but that had nothing to do with the bras. Big Daddy Abel cracked his head on the PA speakers at Seacrets [in Ocean City, Maryland] and almost passed out. Hez once did a headspin on carpeting and got rug burn on top of his head. Jakob has been smacked in the face by Hezekiah's flying hats. Ishmael has drank a lot of gin. Amos did the ‘windmill' break dancing move at a show in DC and broke the land speed windmill record. I think what might take the cake, not to brag, is that I once put a guy's glass eye in my mouth. Not that putting a glass eye in your mouth is really something to ever brag about.
BB: Since we're partial to the Jersey Shore, what's some of your favorite things about playing the Jersey Shore cover scene.
BEE: The people! And the fried Oreos. It is different when you play a vacation area. Everyone is there to have a good time and the energy is different from a regular ‘ol club. Both are great, but it seems folks are fired up from the first moment to the last and there is no period where they have to get a few drinks in before they let go. Chances are they've been drinking all day already. Maybe that's the reason…
BB: In that same vein, since you guys play all over, how is different than the other scenes you play?
BEE: There is something about the Jersey Shore that other scenes just don't have. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's the Jager bombs. Or the… forget it.
BB: What does the future hold for The Amish Outlaws?
BEE: Lots of red meat and mileage. And hopefully people don't get sick of us. We are working hard to learn new songs and will always break our butts to make sure people have a good time. We hope it is a long future, with lots of shows, and lots of new friends. You guys are the best.
you can find out more about the amish outlaws including tour dates, picture videos and interesting things about amish culture at www.amishoutlaws.com
Back to the top.
A band. Seriously! Hubby and I saw this fantastically talented group a few weeks ago. We also saw them last summer. Each time, we are just as blown away. They are phenomenal. The music is exactly what I like to listen to – check out their set list– and everyone at the event really gets into it, dancing and enjoying.
And everyone wonders, are they really Amish? I hope you find this as fascinating as I do: Yes! They are, and the full explanation is here. In essence, what they say on their site is this: "It is a little-known fact that most Amish practice a tradition, similar to the Christian "Confirmation" and Jewish "Bar Mitzvah," called "Rumspringa" (literal translation: "running around") in which Amish children at the age of 16 have an opportunity to live free of the strict Amish code of conduct before deciding if they want to come back and be baptized into the Amish church. Surprisingly, virtually all of the youths return.
But sometimes they don't.
Four out of the original six of the members of The Amish Outlaws were born and raised in Lancaster, PA and had a strict Amish upbringing. No electricity from land lines, no alcohol, no musical instruments, but their spirits were too wild for the Amish lifestyle. Once they trampled in the Devil's Playground (the Amish term for the American way of life), there was no turning back. In the years since Rumspringa, the members of the Amish Outlaws have become very well acclimated to the pleasures and vices of the modern world… music, most of all. "
They are not just talented, but fantastically funny! Check out their Q and A:
Why am I bringing them to your attention? Because I really and truly enjoy them! This is their own explanation of what you'll see at a show: "There is no "typical" Amish Outlaws show, but the average crowd can expect to see men in full Amish garb releasing all of their pent up energy with an infectious joy. With a set that is always evolving as the Brothers discover more and more music and culture, The Amish Outlaws constantly surprise the audience and keep them guessing as to what they could possibly play next, from Judas Priest to Jay Z, Neil Diamond to Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Queen and Twisted Sister, to theme songs from the TV shows they have come to know. Throughout, The Outlaws spin yarns about the Brothers' upbringing and adventures since Rumpsringa. Amish Outlaw gigs are less performances than they are initiations into the life of an Amish Outlaw and parties celebrating the Brothers' newfound freedom."
I mean can you imagine leaving the Amish life behind, dressing as you did then, and entertaining people with dynamic musical talent? If you ever get the chance, see these guys! I wish I could buy their music for my car! So does hubby!
Back to the top.
Click here for our press archive to see more full articles.
# # #
The Amish Outlaws have appeared/been heard/been mentioned on 92.3 KROCK (NYC), WDHA FM (Cedar Knolls, NJ), The Vinny Vella Show (NYC), 98 ROCK (Baltimore, MD), Ron and Fez Show (XM/SIRIUS), 10.5 WBHB Bob Rocks (PA), and more!
This is a great plug The Amish Outlaws received on the Booker show on 92.3 KROCK (NYC). Click here to stream, or right click and choose to save it to your computer.
And here is 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. Click here to stream, or right click and choose to save it to your computer.
Back to the top.
_______________________________________________________
Click here to book The Amish Outlaws.
Represented by Atomic Music Group - scott@atomicmusicgroup.com - (818) 617-2228 x 800
Home | Booking | Tour Dates | Promo Video | About | Set List | Promo Materials | Press | Mailing List | Contact | Help Us | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bandsintown | Onesheet | Diary | FAQ | Profiles | Fat Club
for info and quilt patterns, contact us.
The Amish Outlaws® is a registered trademark.
All contents of this web site © 2003 & beyond.