Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town passes away at 49, reflecting on personal struggles

Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock has sadly passed away at the age of 49 as he was grappling with his deeply personal struggles.

Seth Binzer, better known by his stage name, died on Monday, June 24, as confirmed by the Los Angeles medical examiner, though the specifics around his death have not been disclosed.

In 2012, following a public battle with addiction, Binzer suffered a significant health scare that left him comatose after he collapsed and lost consciousness. He later emerged from his coma and was discharged from hospital.

Recently the artist shared insights on social media about his journey towards sobriety. Binzer said in an Instagram post just two months prior to his passing: "I'm a lover than a fighter ...but the one I need to love more Instead of fight with is myself .. mr shifty true Love # Sober alive and grateful (sic)".

For many years, drug addiction overshadowed Binzer's life, leading him to partake in televised rehab programs including 'Celebrity Rehab 1' and '2', as well as 'Sober House 1' and '2'. His musical partnership with Bret Mazur began in 1992, under the name Brimstone Sluggers, before they launched Crazy Town in 1999, reports the Mirror.

Despite their success, Binzer's substance-related issues continued to cause turmoil. Their scheduled performance at Ozzfest, hosted by Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, was hampered after Binzer faced legal trouble for hurling a chair through a window while under the influence.

Among their achievements, Crazy Town's anthem 'Butterfly' shot to the top of the charts, securing the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a fortnight and dominating number one positions internationally, acclaimed in countries such as Austria, Denmark, and Norway.

The track samples Pretty Little Ditty from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1989 album Mother's Milk, hence the band is credited as songwriters. Their debut album, The Gift of Game, saw sales exceeding 1.5 million copies.

However, following the failure of their 2002 follow-up Darkhorse, the band decided to part ways. They made a comeback in 2007 and returned to the stage in 2009.

Their third album, The Brimstone Sluggers, was released in 2015.

In January 2017, Mazur, also known as Epic, announced his exit from the band, with Rick Dixon, Nick Diiorio and Kevin Kapler also leaving that April. Binzer then added an "X" next to the band's name which is reportedly "used by gangs to symbolise a territory that has just been won".

In November 2019, Crazy Town's tour van collided with a moose in Ontario, Canada, resulting in members, including Binzer, being treated for bruises and cuts at the hospital.

Crazy Town, comprising Binzer, DJ Rick One and Mark White, last toured in 2023 with Hed PEm. Despite a violent altercation between Binzer and the group's vocalist Bobby Reeves outside a venue in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the shows proceeded as planned.

Binzer also pursued a solo career and collaborated with British producer and musician Paul Oakenfold, providing vocals for his 2002 hit Starry Eyed Surprise.

His debut solo album, Happy Love Sick, was launched in 2004. He also established Shifty and The Big Shots in 2010.

Binzer frequently found himself on the wrong side of the law, with offences ranging from attempted burglary to selling and using recreational drugs.

He has two children, a son named Halo from his marriage to Melissa Clark, and another son named Gage with a woman named Tracy.

Binzer was involved with Jasmine Lennard in 2010, but the following year saw police called to a domestic disturbance involving the couple.

In 2022, he began dating his childhood friend, Punky Brewster actress Soleil Moon Frye, 47, around the time of his arrest for driving under the influence in Los Angeles.