Shifty Shellshock, co-leader of the Los Angeles rap-rock band Crazy Town, has died at 49. Variety reports that Shifty, born Seth Brooks Binzer, passed away at home in LA yesterday, though no cause of death has been announced.
Seth Binzer grew up immersed in the music industry; his father, Rollin, directed the 1973 concert film “Ladies And Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones” and designed album covers for Chess Records. In his youth, Binzer entered the LA rap scene, adopting the name Shifty Shellshock. He met Crazy Town co-leader Bret “Epic” Mazur during a 1992 recording session for Will.I.Am’s pre-Black Eyed Peas group Atbann Klann.
Initially forming a rap group called the Brimstone Sluggers, Binzer and Mazur didn’t release music until the late ’90s, when they transitioned to rock and renamed themselves Crazy Town. Signing with Columbia, they released their debut album “The Gift Of Game” in 1999 and toured with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their single “Butterfly,” which sampled the Chili Peppers, became a surprise hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001. Despite their brief success, Crazy Town’s popularity waned, and their second album, “Darkhorse,” flopped, leading to the band’s breakup.
Shifty Shellshock, known for his distinctive look with muscles, tattoos, and bleached spikes, featured on British DJ Paul Oakenfold’s 2002 hit “Starry Eyed Surprise” and released a solo album, “Happy Love Sick,” in 2004. Crazy Town reunited in 2007, releasing “The Brimstone Sluggers” in 2015. Last year, Shifty and co-leader Bobby Reeves had a violent altercation after a show in Myrtle Beach, leading to their removal from (hed)p.e.’s Nu Metal Madness 2 Tour. However, they reconciled and performed in Michigan this past May.
Shifty Shellshock struggled with substance abuse, appearing on reality shows like “Celebrity Rehab” and “Sober House.” He faced multiple arrests, including for domestic abuse and cocaine possession in 2012 and DUI in 2022. In 2012, he was briefly comatose after losing consciousness but later recovered.
Foo Fighters Joined by Shane Hawkins for “I’ll Stick Around” in London: Watch
Foo Fighters played a show in London, England on Thursday, and teamed up with Shane Hawkins, the son of their late drummer Taylor Hawkins, for a surprise rendition
Ice Nine Kills and From Ashes To New Offshoot Hillhaven Reveal ‘Gaps’
Hillhaven, the new group that features members of Ice Nine Kills and From Ashes To New, have released a music video for their brand new
Watch Black Sabbath Legend Jams With The Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters had a very special surprise for fans when they played the hometown of metal legends Black Sabbath on Thursday night (June 27th),
Alkaline Trio, The Vandals, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag Lead Punk In The Park Orlando
Brew Ha Ha Productions has announced the first wave of bands for Punk In The Park Orlando, Saturday, September 14 at Central Florida Fairgrounds in
Watch mgk (Machine Gun Kelly) Cover Zach Bryan’s ‘Sun To Me’
mgk (formerly Machine Gun Kelly) invites fans back inside his living room at Cheshire Cottage for another intimate performance of his “Sun To Me” cover
Ed Sheeran Does Surprise Performance With Limp Bizkit; Watch
Ed Sheeran jumped on stage for a surprise performance with Limp Bizkit during their appearance at the Pinkpop Festival on Sunday (June 23rd) in Landgraff,