Shifty Shellshock’s cause of death announced by Crazy Town manager

June 28, 2024

The manager of American rap-rock band Crazy Town has stated that Shifty Shellshock, who was found dead in his LA home on Monday at the age of 49, died of an accidental drug overdose.

The musician – real name Seth Binzer – died in his home on Monday (June 24), according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s website.

The band’s manager, Howie Hubberman, said in a statement that Binzer died of an overdose after a years-long battle with addiction.

“After his battle with addiction and the rapid success of Crazy Town, Seth Binzer was never able to overcome his addiction on a more successful level with ‘Butterfly,'” said Hubberman. People“We all tried, but in the end we all failed, otherwise Shifty would still be here.”

“Shifty was a friend and really wanted to get himself repaired – unfortunately nobody, including me, had the right tools for it.”

The Los Angeles County Coroner has not yet announced a cause of death for Binzer pending the toxicology reports.

The band became famous in the late 1990s and early 2000s with their 1999 hit “Butterfly”.

Shifty Shellshock performing in Los Angeles in 2001 (Getty Images)

Binzer met his Crazy Town co-founder Bret Mazur in 1992. They initially began making music under the name Brimstone Sluggers, but changed their name in 1999 when they added bandmates Rust Epique, James Bradley Jr., Doug Miller, Adam Goldstein and Antonio Lorenzo Valli.

They released their debut album, The gift of the gamein 1999 to reviews ranging from lukewarm to negative. Crazy Town supported the Red Hot Chili Peppers on tour later that year.

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Her hit “Butterfly” was the third track on her debut album. It sampled the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 1989 song “Pretty Little Ditty” and featured Binzer’s relaxed rap style.

Seth Binzer and Fay Doe from Crazy Town in 2002 (Getty Images)

“Butterfly” topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks and remains the band’s biggest hit to date. Binzer can be heard rapping: “Come, my lady, come, come, my lady/ You’re my butterfly, sugar baby.”

The song was responsible for introducing the band to the American music scene and introducing them to new audiences when it was played in the opening sequence of the 2004 romantic comedy Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Something has to be given.

Binzer photographed in 2023 (Getty Images for Rockefella’s Stu)

However, the band struggled to match the success of “Butterfly” in the future and after the release of their second album, they took a break. Dark Horse in 2003, but reunited in 2007 and released their third album The Brimstone Sluggers in 2015.

In 2004, Binzer started a solo career and released his first album, Happy Love Sickwhich was very well received in Europe.

Binzer with TRL host Carson Daly backstage during MTV's Spring Break 2001 — Binzer with TRL host Carson Daly backstage during MTV’s Spring Break 2001 (Getty Images)

In 2017, co-founder Mazur left the band and Binzer changed the name of the group to Crazy Town X.

Binzer is survived by his son Halo, whom he had with his first wife Melissa Clark. The couple married in 2002 and divorced in 2011 after living apart for several years.

He has two other sons, Gage and Pheonix, from different mothers.

Throughout his career, the musician spoke openly about his struggle with addiction. In 2008, he appeared in the first season of the reality TV series Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drewand returned for the second season. Binzer also took part in two seasons of his Sober House Spin-off series.

In an Instagram post shared eight weeks ago, Binzer wrote openly about dealing with addiction.

“I’m more of a lover than a fighter,” he wrote. “But the one I need to love more than fight with is myself… Mr. Shifty True Love (sic) Sober.”

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can get confidential help and support from Frank 24/7 by calling 0300 123 6600SMS to 82111, send an email or visit their website Here.

In the United States, you can reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP.

If you are affected by this article, you can contact the following organizations for support: www.actiononaddiction.org.uk, mind.org.uk, nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth, mentalhealth.org.uk.