The Amish Outlaws – An Xperience Interview

The Amish Outlaws – An Xperience Interview – by Liam Sweeny.

In contemporary America, it may seem that the chief export of the Amish is furniture or apple cider, but it’s probably a misconception. When the members of the Amish Outlaws celebrated their coming of age, Rumspringa, they decided to stay in our world.

And when they put the band together and started playing, they decided to stay in our hearts.

We had a chance to talk to band member Ezekiel.

RRX: When I first heard of the Amish Outlaws being a band, I thought it would be folk or country; it had to be. Then I see the video for your funktastic cover of Bell Biv Devoe’s “Poison.” And then other hip-hop covers. And then Black Sabbath. So two questions: why did you decide to do covers, and why did you decide to cover so wide a range of genres?

Ezekiel: When the band first started, we were playing some originals and covers, but covers did win out and the answers to both questions go hand in hand. Speaking for myself, having been raised Amish, I hadn’t really heard much music until my teenage years and then when I left on Rumspringa. I became obsessed pretty quickly and dove into everything – rock, classical, jazz, old country, bluegrass, hip hop, you name it. So when we started to play music, I wanted to do it all. The first two covers we played were “Insane in the Brain” by Cypress Hill and “Coming to America” by Neil Diamond. That is how all over our tastes were. Of course, the non-Amish guys in the band thought we were nuts at first and were probably right. Just playing those songs was and still is as much of an expression of what I love as playing original music has ever been, and I have done both over the years. The joy for me has always been live performances and seeing the reactions of people, especially when we are throwing so many curve balls at them.

RRX: You are former Amish, four of you, born and raised. And when you went through the Amish “coming of age” of Rumspringa, you decided, upon spending time in the world of technology, not to return. And you decided on music with your transition. Were you all always interested in music, even before Rumspringa, or did it come about after?

Ezekiel: It very much came after. I had heard bits here and there and was always intrigued but it wasn’t until my first real English (non-Amish) friend played “The Wall” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” for me on his father’s vinyl copies, and I was able to look through the layouts and lyrics that it hit me how much of a deeper meaning music had than just a distraction or just for entertainment. It sounds pretentious, but it was suddenly “art” and as much as we take music and performance seriously, we always keep in mind that you can’t spell “fart” without “art,” and as such never take ourselves too seriously.

RRX: In the Amish community, you are not allowed to own musical instruments. Does that mean music itself isn’t allowed? Or is it contained, say to a church choir? Is music something you can live without, or is it a human need that transcends the notion of frivolity?

Ezekiel: The only music among the Amish is singing from the Ausbund,  a book of hymns that doesn’t contain notes or melodies. Just the words. How to sing it is passed down from generation to generation and, like the “we don’t have a telephone” game, changes often. Music is something I love more than anything besides people. Not to be lazy and use an answer I gave elsewhere, but an interviewer recently asked me what music means to me, and I think I nailed it – “Everything. Besides my family, it is the most important thing to me. I guess air, water, shelter, and food have to also be on that list but I’d die without music too.”

RRX: I read that your parents, if they don’t approve, at least are glad you’re happy. There is a misconception about the Amish and shunning. Can you speak on that a little?

Ezekiel: Most people that I have met assume that if you break the rules or leave the Amish lifestyle you are automatically shunned, but the way it works, or at least worked for me, is the Amish don’t believe in baptism as a child and until you’re baptized you aren’t bound by the church’s laws. When you turn 16 you go on Rumspringa and then make the choice whether or not to join church. If I had joined church and then left, I would be shunned. As mean as it may sound, though, the shunning is tantamount to an act of love, it is done to hopefully bring the person back to the Amish faith and back in the graces of God.

RRX: You guys leave it all on the stage. I was amped after watching you guys play. I definitely hear funkiness. When you were putting your sound together, did that level of bounce and energy just come out? Or was it a slog to put it together?

Ezekiel: It just came out. We love doing this. People often say our job must be the best and I can say it is. It isn’t easy, but it is fun. We travel so much; there are times we’ve done seven shows in a row, with the last three in one 24-hour period after driving three or four hours from show to show with just 40 minutes or so at a hotel or a Wawa bathroom to get cleaned up and changed. So it isn’t always easy to get on stage and be excited and full of energy, but the way we see it is a person at our show probably worked a job all week, drove back and forth to work, took out the garbage, took care of their kids and dogs and fish, and are spending a few bucks and one of their nights off to come see us. So we don’t have the right to not give 100% every time we step on a stage, no matter how small, hot, or close to a stinky dumpster it may be.

RRX: Since you weren’t allowed to have musical instruments in Amish life, what was it like picking out your instruments? Did you luck out and just find good stuff? Did you find any old thing and adjust? Any friends help?

Ezekiel: I always loved the low end for some reason. I wanted to play upright bass at first, but it was too big and expensive. I got a $50 bass from Sears as a teenager that our drummer’s son, Sammy, now has that I played in my first band. I didn’t touch the bass for many years until this band started and it’s now been over 21 years and I haven’t put it down for more than a week or two of vacation once a year.

RRX: This is where you answer the question I didn’t ask. Comments? Remarks? Enlighten, educate, emote – the floor is yours.

Ezekiel: My favorite pizza topping is all of them. I once ate a triple-decker sandwich for lunch and then an entire family-style size serving of spaghetti and meatballs for dinner three hours later, went to the bathroom to throw up because I was so stuffed, then came back, finished my spaghetti and meatballs and had tiramisu for dessert. I also eat a lot of salads and run a lot to try and make up for all the eating. The guys I am in this band with and the guys in our crew are the greatest people I have ever had the joy to work with and they make almost every moment a true joy. And I can speak for all of the Amish Outlaws and our crew that we owe everything to our loved ones and families for their patience while we chase this crazy dream. And we owe the fulfillment of that dream to every person that loves and supports this ridiculous band we are in, including people like you, Liam.

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