Shifty Shellshock, the charismatic frontman of the rap-rock band Crazy Town, has died at the age of 49. Born Seth Binzer, the musician passed away at his home on June 24, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The cause of death remains under investigation, adding a somber note to the end of a tumultuous yet impactful career.
Binzer's journey in the music industry began in 1992 when he met Bret Mazur, co-founder of Crazy Town. The band quickly gained traction and released their debut album, The Gift of Game, in November 1999. The album initially struggled, with its first two singles, "Toxic" and "Darkside," failing to chart. However, the third single, "Butterfly," proved to be a breakout hit. Released in October 2000, the track, which sampled the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Pretty Little Ditty," soared to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two weeks. The catchy chorus, "Come my lady, come come my lady / You're my butterfly, sugar baby," became iconic, and the song remained on the charts for 23 weeks.
Despite the success of "Butterfly," Crazy Town struggled to replicate the same level of acclaim with their subsequent releases. Their sophomore album, Darkhorse, debuted at No. 120 on the Billboard 200 in November 2002 and fell off the chart after just one week. Following this commercial disappointment, the band disbanded.
Binzer's life was marked by his public battle with substance abuse. He appeared on VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008 and on Sober House from 2009 to 2010, where he openly discussed his struggles with addiction. In 2012, he was sentenced to three years probation for battery and possession of crack cocaine. Despite these challenges, Binzer continued to pursue music, releasing his solo album, Happy Love Sick, and later reuniting with Crazy Town to release The Brimstone Sluggers in 2015.
In a statement to Us Weekly, a representative for Binzer described him as "a courageous fighter, so full of talent, light, compassion, love, and grace." The rep added, "He will be missed by so many. He was one of those souls that was magnetic. We will miss you, Seth. Thank you for your talents and contributions to our music industry. We were all blessed to have had you."
Crazy Town's history is also marked by tragedy beyond Binzer's struggles. In 2009, former band member DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) died from an accidental drug overdose at the age of 36. Goldstein had been with the band from 1999 to 2001 and survived a plane crash in 2008 that killed four others on board.
Binzer leaves behind his children, Halo, Gage, and Phoenix, who survive him. His death marks the end of a complex life filled with both high peaks and deep valleys. Despite his personal struggles, Binzer's influence on the music industry, particularly with Crazy Town's hit "Butterfly," remains indelible.
