Crazy Town's Lead Singer, Shifty Shellshock, dead at 49
Seth Binzer, better known as Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town, has died at the age of 49, the Los Angeles medical examiner confirmed on June 24. The cause of death is currently unknown.
Binzer, who gained fame with Crazy Town's hit "Butterfly," had a well-documented battle with substance abuse. In 2012, he was hospitalized and fell into a coma after losing consciousness. Despite his struggles, Binzer recently shared his journey towards sobriety on Instagram, expressing gratitude for his life and newfound clarity.
“I'm a lover rather than a fighter... but the one I need to love more instead of fight with is myself,” he wrote eight weeks ago. “#Sober alive and grateful.”
Binzer appeared on reality TV series "Celebrity Rehab" and "Sober House" to address his addiction. He is survived by his three sons: Halo, with ex-wife Melissa Clark; Gage, with former girlfriend Tracy; and Phoenix, with Jasmine Lennard.
Fans and friends took to social media to express their sorrow. Tributes poured in on Twitter, with many reminiscing about "Butterfly" and other Crazy Town hits.
Despite his troubled personal life, Binzer continued to perform. He and Crazy Town bandmate Bobby Reeves were involved in a fistfight after a Myrtle Beach concert in April 2023. Despite the altercation, Reeves described their relationship as a "fight between brothers" and shared that they had reconciled.
Binzer's legal issues included arrests for drug possession and driving under the influence. In 2012, he publicly apologized for his actions, expressing regret for the embarrassment he caused his loved ones.
Crazy Town, formed in 1992 initially as Brimstone Sluggers, saw success with their 2000 debut album "The Gift of Game," which sold over 1.5 million copies. However, their 2002 follow-up "Darkhorse" did not fare as well. The band reformed in 2007, releasing their third album "The Brimstone Sluggers" in 2015.
Binzer also pursued a solo career, collaborating with British producer Paul Oakenfold on the 2002 hit "Starry Eyed Surprise" and releasing his debut solo album "Happy Love Sick" in 2004.
His legacy in music, marked by both highs and lows, remains significant. Shifty Shellshock will be remembered for his contributions to the nu-metal and rap-rock genres, as well as his candidness about his personal struggles.
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