‘Thanks for making us something’
Amish Outlaws’ Brother Eazy Ezekiel previews band’s 20th anniversary show
Four of the original six members of the group The Amish Outlaws were raised in nearby Lancaster with a strict Amish upbringing. That meant things like musical instruments, landline telephones and alcohol were strictly forbidden.
Suffice it to say that once the future band mates went through Rumspringa (an Amish rite of passage allowing 16-year-old Amish children to either remain in the Amish community or set out on their own), they chose the latter.
In the 20 years since their musical formation, The Amish Outlaws have not only continued to pay homage to their heritage by wearing simple slacks with suspenders and straw hats but have also become one of the most acclaimed and versatile cover bands around.
Want proof ? The Amish Outlaws have shared the stage with such artists as Charlie Daniels, Buckcherry, Marshall Tucker and George Thorogood. Their shows regularly set the capacity record at Musikfest and their musicianship and stage presence keep fans of all musical generations coming back for more.
On Saturday, The Amish Outlaws will once again return the Lehigh Valley to celebrate their 20th anniversary at The Musikfest Café in Bethlehem.
The Amish Outlaws are Brother Hezekiah X (Lead Vocals), Brother Big Daddy Abel (lead vocals), Brother Snoop Job (guitar / vocals), Brother Amos Def (keyboards/vocals), Brother Eazy Ezekiel (bass) and Brother Jakob the Pipelayer (drums).
I recently caught up with Brother Eazy Ezekiel to talk about The Amish Outlaws anniversary and more in this new interview.
Q: This year marks the Amish Outlaws’ 20th anniversary. When you look back with so much perspective what thoughts come to mind? Brother Eazy Ezekiel:
We are lucky, that’s the main thought that comes to mind. We work really hard and are blessed to be able to do what we love for a living. Perspective has taught us to never rest on our laurels because each and every person that gets in the car and drives to a show and coughs up his or her hardearned money to see us deserves everything we can give them, short of our wallets and shoes [laughs].
Q: Is there a way you can put into words what your music is all about? A:
We are six guys that care about nothing more on stage than making sure each and every person watching us is having fun. We may not be the best musicians and we don’t always get things right but we try with everything we
have to spread joy all over the room like a watermelon at a Gallagher show.
Q: What can fans expect from the band’s performance at Musikfest Café? A:
We are planning a set list with songs from our entire career, some videos and special images on the screens throughout the night. Custom merchandise for the anniversary will also be available and maybe even a few special guests.
Q: How did the Amish Outlaws come together? A:
Jakob was the first English friend I made when I moved to New York and he was a drummer. Amos lived in the same area I did in PA and a year later struck out to settle a few towns over. We met Hez and our original lead vocalist Gerold (Brother McMullen) and struck up a friendship since they were also raised Amish and started playing music together. One day I was thinking we should somehow tie in our Amish background into the band and The Amish Outlaws popped into my head. Gerold retired a decade and a half or so ago. Abel came on board from the swamps of NJ. Ishmael, our first guitar player, was with us though the formative years and put in a lot of the grind and we will always be grateful for that but both he and Gerold had a life outside of the band where our schedule was just too much. We’ve had a few different guitar players over the years. Job has been with us for four years or so and fits in like one of those round pegs. I think The Amish Outlaws we are now will be the band we will be until we either retire or spontaneously combust. Whichever comes first.
Q: Was there ever a moment where you were concerned about your decision to perform instead of continuing in the Amish way? A:
No, not for me. The decision was really based on the belief, as with many religions, that the Amish way was the only path to God. I met so many good people that were not Amish and I couldn’t fathom the idea that they were wrong or were going to be damned for not being Amish. I suppose I could have had the same epiphany if
I had been raised in a number of religions. Just so happens my parents are Amish. I’m not a religious person now. Getting to perform music was a byproduct of the decision I made. Playing musical instruments is strictly forbidden amongst the Amish. Seeing all the joy it can bring people, I also couldn’t reconcile myself to the idea that it’s wrong.
Q: What’s been your family’s reaction to your decision to not stay within the Amish community? Do they still have hopes you’ll come back one day? A:
I have two older brothers that left before me. One in particular was a bit of a hellraiser. The other is still pretty religious and pious so I had a path blazed before me and the ice already broken. My parents, of course, wish I had chosen the Amish life but it’s been over three decades — by now they know the ship has sailed and they’re happy I have a good wife, beautiful family, good job, and good life.
Q: How do you determine which songs to include in the set and what do you do to keep things fresh? A:
One of the byproducts of the Amish upbringing is we hadn’t really heard a lot of music until we left. I immersed myself in everything: metal, rock, country, classical, jazz, funk. When it came to playing music, I didn’t see why we couldn’t play it all. Each band member usually suggests a few songs, then we’ll sit and listen to them together in a green room or hotel on the road, go home and digest them and then vote. We try to play songs people won’t expect to hear, which is pretty easy considering when most people see us walk into a room for the first time, they assume we’re a bluegrass band [laughs]. And we have played some bluegrass!
Q: Is there a message you’d like to share with the fans from Bethlehem prior to your performance at Musikfest Café? A:
We love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making it possible for us to do what we do. We don’t call the people that support us fans — we call them family because, like our families, without them we are nothing. Thanks for making us something.