The Amish Outlaws

(Credit: Neal Wexler)

Having burned up the Jersey Shore's nightlife at such clubs as Tiki Stadium in Keansburg, Bamboo Bar in Seaside Heights and Bar Anticipation in Lake Como, it's no wonder the Amish Outlaws won a Metromix Jersey Shore poll in 2008 for favorite Jersey Shore-connected cover band.

The band, which is based in New York's Rockland County, has humble beginnings -- its original four members were raised in Lancaster, Pa., according to the strict Amish code. It's a lifestyle devoid of all modern conveniences including electricity, telephones and, of course, music.

But by age 16, like all Amish youth, they were given the opportunity to set out into the world and decide for themselves if the Amish life was right for them. The alluring tastes of music proved too good to resist, so they ventured out into the modern world.

As fate would have it, Brothers Hezekiah X, McMullen, Amos Def and Eazy Ezekiel had a chance meeting in 2002 at a music festival and quickly recognized one another as kindred spirits with a mutual background. They soon set forth on a musical journey, seeking to channel their creative zeal into what became The Amish Outlaws.

Driven by their true love for music as well as a passion for entertaining, this bunch seemingly knows no bounds.

"When you see us live you are seeing six guys that will stop at nothing to try and make every person out there smile, laugh, and have a good time," says bassist Eazy Ezekiel. "Every member of this band is covered in sweat after every single show."

Tiki Stadium owner Bill Slover says he didn't know what to expect the first time The Amish Outlaws played his venue.

"We had about forty people in the bar that evening," he recalls. "Needless to say, word of mouth became so great the next time they were in town, the crowd had swelled to 300.

"From beginning to end, you are entertained and you can almost bet you will love at least five of their songs."

What sets the Amish Outlaws apart from most other cover bands is the band's willingness to venture into different territory, covering material by 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Marilyn Manson, Rick Astley, Sinead O'Connor and others. Often adding up to four new songs a month to the set list, the band makes it a priority not to play the same show night after night.

In addition to the Jersey Shore, The Amish Outlaws play gigs in Central and North Jersey, and the band's next Garden State gig is Saturday (Dec. 27) at Willie McBride's in Hoboken.

What does it mean to truly be an Amish Outlaw? When confronted with the question, guitarist Big Daddy Abel says, "The idea of being an Amish Outlaw means it's the perfect outlet for a creatively twisted and fun-seeking mind."

Lead singer Brother Hezekiah X adds, "We wanna make you laugh, we wanna make you cry. We want you to need therapy after you see us from the emotional roller coaster you've been on. Or at the very least be really horny and do something you probably shouldn't."