Updated June 28, 2024
It has been revealed that Shifty Shellshock’s death was caused by his addictions.
The band’s manager confirmed to People magazine that the musician died due to an accidental drug overdose.
“The cause of death was a combination of prescription drugs and street purchased drugs,” said the band’s manager. “Shifty was a friend and really wanted to get himself fixed — unfortunately no one had the exact tools to do this, myself included.”
“Seth Binzer, after struggling with addiction and Crazy Town’s rapid success with ‘Butterfly,’ never was able to reach out on a more successful level to deal with his addictions. We all tried, but ultimately we all failed, or Shifty would still be here.”
An official cause of death is still pending the return of toxicology lab results.
Shifty Shellshock, American musician and co-founder of the rock band Crazy Town, has passed away at 49 years old.
According to The Los Angeles County Medical examiner, the rock star died at his home on June 24. No cause of death has been determined.
He was born Seth Brooks Binzer on August 23, 1974. The “Butterfly” singer grew up in Los Angeles, and was exposed to a vibrant music scene. His father, Rollin Binzer, was a noted artist and filmmaker.
In the mid-1990s, Binzer co-founded Crazy Town with Bret “Epic” Mazur. The band quickly gained notoriety for their energetic performances and unique sound that blended elements of rap, rock, and electronic music. Their debut album, “The Gift of Game,” released in 1999, helped them gain fame with the hit single “Butterfly.” The track topped charts worldwide and remains their most recognized song.
Crazy Town’s sound was distinctive for its blended nature, merging hip-hop beats with rock guitar riffs. Shifty’s vocals, alternating between rap verses and sung choruses, became a unique facet of the band’s music. He often sang about themes such as personal struggle, addiction, and relationships, appealing with a wide audience.
However, with fame came challenges. The band’s rapid ascent was mirrored by internal conflicts, Shifty’s substance abuse issues. Despite their initial success, Crazy Town struggled to grow. Their following albums failed to achieve much commercial success.
Shifty struggled with addiction. He was arrested multiple times and had a few publicized visits to rehab. These challenges overshadowed his musical career.
In 2008, Shifty appeared on the reality television series “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” where he sought help for his addiction problems. Also,the singer also appeared on “Sober House.”
The singer was arrested again in 2022 on DUI charges. In 2023, he got into a fight with Crazy Town guitarist, leading to Crazy Town being kicked off tour with headline band Hed PE.
Binzer is survived by his three children: Halo, Gage and Phoenix.
Rest in Peace