Sketch Ellis' blend of Hard Rock, Southern Rock, 80's Metal, and Country puts him in a genre all his own. This debut cd expresses feelings of being like a 'freak' in a big top world.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Hard Rock, ROCK: Southern Rock

Show all album songs: Circus of Freaks Songs


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BIO:

Born Joshua Lee Ellis on July 14, 1988 in the small town of Jasper, Georgia where he was raised. His musical abilities began to shine through at the early age of two when he began banging on pots and pans. Though, not uncommon for many toddlers, it was a window into Sketchâs future. He received his first pair of drumsticks in 1992 when he was attending a dinner cruise with his family. The drummer of the house band, quite taken with the young boy who would grow up to remember this as his first step towards his current dreams, gave his drum sticks to Sketch as a way to remember that night.

Sketch was raised on bluegrass, country, and oldies but itâs the oldies that stick out the most in his mind. He became an avid Elvis fan at the age of 7 which further evolved his dream of being a musician himself. Starting with short lived piano lessons in 1997, Sketch began to walk the path that would lead him to his dreams. The following year, he received his first acoustic guitar. âMy dad wouldnât let me play electric guitar at first. It upset me, but in the long run it paid off.â His father began taking Sketch to visit with a local bluegrass band every Sunday night, where he began fiddling with the guitar. Here he memorized a few chords, the only chords he would learn to play until picking up learning again in 1998.

In 1999, 6th grader Sketch joined his middle school band as part of the percussion line. That Christmas he was given his first drum set (one that he still plays on today) and he began playing in garage bands. This was also the year he received his nickname (Sketch) due to his fascination and skill with drawing comic books and cartoons. In 2001, Sketch discovered Jon Bon Jovi and has been a loyal fan ever since. âI liked every song they ever wrote and still do. Their songs give me boost. Theyâre all about faith, kind of like me.â

In September of 2002, Sketch joined his first ârealâ band called Southern Breeze. With his piano and keyboard skills and a few talented band mates, Sketch played his first show to a sold out crowd in the gymnasium of their school. They won the talent show that night with their rendition of Skynyrdâs Free Bird. He remained with this band through the summer of 2003. It was this year that Sketch gained a new idol. He had discovered a little band called Motley Crue. Tommy Lee, Americaâs favorite bad boy, became a figure that stood out from the rest for Sketch. âHeâs got his own style. I admire that.â

Sketch found some good friends and memories when he began playing drums and adding some vocals to C.C. Morgan in the summer of 2003. âThese guys are my second family.â Their blend of blues, southern rock, country, and alternative rock drew in a large local fan base and he became a local rock star. During his time with C.C. Morgan he did a short stint as lead vocalist and guitarist for a classic/alternative rock band called Black Mountain Side. This stint lasted 4 months in late 2005 and he then turned his full attention back to C.C. Morgan.

Sketch left C. C. Morgan in October 2006 when the arena rock band M!ss Crazy invited him to join them on their next tour. Before receiving this invitation, Sketch discovered his two newest heroes. Criss Angel and Jussi 69 of The 69 Eyes. He came across Criss first when he and one of his C.C. Morgan band mates stumbled upon Crissâs TV show Mind Freak. âWhat turned me on to Criss Angel at first was the way he looked. He just looked like a hardcore rock starâ¦minus the tattoos. Heâs got a lot of faith like Jon Bon Jovi Once again, I admire that.â Crissâs charisma drew him in and he found a new fascination for magic as well. Jussi came into the picture later that year not long before he left his hometown of Jasper to join M!ss Crazy in San Jose, California. âLike Tommy, heâs got his own style.â

Now Sketchâs life was taking a new turn. He had graduated high school and was taking his first trip to the opposite side of the country to try to build himself a name. He spent seven months touring the west coast, mid-west, and parts of the south with M!ss Crazy. Here he had the opportunity to play with bands such as Buckcherry, Army of Anyone, and Molly Hatchet.

In April 2007, Sketch returned to his home town to record some of his own music, using influences like Kid Rock to pave the way. âI like his style. He covers all the bases: rap, rock, metal, blues, country, etc. Itâs all there.â He still helps out with his old band C.C. Morgan from time to time as well as Fuel Injection (formerly Southern Breeze). He is looking forward to getting back on tour. Look for his new album, Circus of Freaks, in the start of the new year (2008).