Shifty Shellshock, the charismatic frontman of Crazy Town known offstage as Seth Binzer, passed away at the age of 49 at his Los Angeles residence on Monday, June 24, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed for the singer of the hit song “Butterfly.”
Binzer’s career in music began in 1992 alongside fellow vocalist Bret “Epic” Mazur, with whom he formed the group Brimstone Sluggers. This collaboration evolved into the band Crazy Town, which gained prominence in the late 1990s. Their debut album, “The Gift of Game,” released under the Crazy Town name in 1999, included the chart-topping single “Butterfly,” which propelled them to international fame and became a cultural anthem of the early 2000s.
Despite initial success, the band faced challenges and eventually disbanded after their second album, “Darkhorse,” did not achieve the same acclaim. They later regrouped under various names, including Brimstone Sluggers and Crazy Town X, following Mazur’s departure in 2017.
Apart from his work with Crazy Town, Binzer pursued a solo career, releasing the album “Happy Love Sick” in 2004. He collaborated with English producer Paul Oakenfold on the song “Starry Eyed Surprise,” which reached No. 6 on the U.K. charts in 2002.
Binzer’s life was marked by struggles with substance abuse, a battle that became public when he appeared on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab” and “Sober House.” In 2012, he suffered a health scare, falling into a coma, but recovered. Legal troubles also punctuated his life, including arrests for battery, drug possession, and DUI incidents over the years.
Fans and colleagues alike mourned the loss of Binzer, sharing tributes on social media following news of his passing. Messages poured in on his recent Instagram posts, reflecting on his impact and legacy in the music industry.
Shifty Shellshock leaves behind a legacy as a prominent figure in the alternative rock scene, remembered not only for his musical contributions but also for his resilience in facing personal challenges throughout his career.
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Several fans shared tributes to the Crazy Town rocker’s final few Instagram posts following the news. On an April 27 post, one wrote, “RIP old friend… remember you best as a kid in a skateboard with the entire world in front of you… sending love to your family ❤️👏.”
Another commented, “Speechless… Rest in Peace, my Childhood Hero. Gonna miss you 💔.”