Crazy Town Singer Shifty Shellshock Passes Away at 49

Shifty Shellshock, the lead singer and rapper of the rap-rock band Crazy Town, has passed away at the age of 49.

Best known for the 2001 hit single “Butterfly,” which topped the US charts and reached number three in the UK, Shifty Shellshock, born Seth Binzer, made a significant impact on the music scene. He co-founded Crazy Town in 1995 and later collaborated with DJ Paul Oakenfold on the popular club track “Starry Eyed Surprise.”

Despite his musical success, Binzer struggled with addiction throughout his life, a battle he openly discussed on reality TV shows such as “Celebrity Rehab” and its follow-up, “Sober House.” He was found deceased at his Los Angeles home on Monday, June 24. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

A Musical Heritage

Binzer, born in 1974, was raised in a family deeply embedded in the music industry. His father, Rollin Binzer, directed the 1973 concert film “Ladies And Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones” and designed album covers for Chess Records. His mother, Leslie Brooks, was a model. Influenced by the Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill” album, Binzer was inspired to pursue rap music. He met Bret “Epic” Mazur in the early 1990s during a recording session, and together they formed Crazy Town.

Rise to Fame

Crazy Town initially struggled to find their footing. Their debut album, “The Gift Of The Game,” saw its first two singles fail to chart. In 2000, the band withdrew from the Ozzfest festival following Binzer’s arrest for drunkenly throwing a chair out of a window. However, the album also featured “Butterfly,” a laid-back love song sampling a riff from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ instrumental “Pretty Little Ditty.” Released in 2001, the song became an instant hit, propelled by Binzer’s catchy chorus: “Come my lady / Come, come my lady / You’re my butterfly / Sugar, baby.”

A Different Approach

“Butterfly” was a departure from the more chauvinistic lyrics Binzer had written before. “We were writing songs like ‘Lollipop Porn’ when there was no girlfriend, and all of a sudden I was in this relationship,” he explained in Fred Bronson’s “Billboard Book Of Number One Hits.” Inspired by his new relationship, he wrote “Butterfly” as a sweet and affectionate song. Although the band initially hesitated to release it as a single, fearing it would define them, the song’s success proved them wrong. “Butterfly” became Crazy Town’s signature hit, even though their subsequent singles, like “Revolving Door,” failed to replicate its success.

Continued Struggles and Later Career

Crazy Town disbanded in 2002 after their second album, “Darkhorse,” underperformed. Binzer pursued a solo career, achieving moderate success in Europe with his album “Happy Love Sick” and the single “Starry Eyed Surprise.” He reunited with Mazur for the 2015 album “The Brimstone Sluggers” before rebranding the band as Crazy Town X.

Throughout his career, Binzer was open about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. He had multiple run-ins with the law, including arrests for domestic abuse, cocaine possession, and driving under the influence. In 2022, he was removed from a Nu Metal tour after a public altercation with bandmate Bobby Reeves, though the two later reconciled and continued to perform together.

Shifty Shellshock is survived by his three children: Halo, Gage, and Phoenix. His legacy in the music world remains through his unforgettable hits and his candidness about his personal battles.

Shifty Shellshock Hand-Signed Autographed Guitar – Crazy Town (PSA AJ57708) – $548.99

Own a piece of rock history with this hand-signed autographed guitar by Shifty Shellshock, the iconic frontman of Crazy Town. Priced at $548.99, or $32.42 per month for 24 months, this collectible comes with authenticity provided by PSA, ensuring its legitimacy.

• Collectible Type: Original
• Grade Rating: See Photos/Scans
• Style: Music
• Entertainment Franchise: Crazy Town
• Entertainment Genre: Rock
• Autographed: Yes

PSA, the leading company in item authentication, verifies this autograph, which comes with a matching hologram sticker and Certificate of Authenticity (COA). Some items may have only a hologram attached. Please refer to images for detailed views.

This hand-signed item by Shifty Shellshock is not a reproduction, ensuring its value as a true collector’s piece. Note that there may be slight variations if multiple copies are available. This guitar is an excellent gift for any Shifty Shellshock fan or collector.