Crazy Town Lead Singer Seth Binzer, Known as Shifty Shellshock, Dies at 49

Seth Binzer, the lead vocalist of the renowned rap-rock band Crazy Town, has passed away at the age of 49. Known by his stage name Shifty Shellshock, Binzer co-founded Crazy Town in 1995 alongside Bret Mazur, with their breakout hit single ‘Butterfly‘ reaching the top of the charts in 2001.

The cause of Binzer’s death, confirmed by the Los Angeles medical examiner, remains undisclosed as of now. The band’s journey to success included initial setbacks, like withdrawing from the Ozzfest festival in 2000 after Binzer’s arrest for public misconduct.

Despite their early challenges, Crazy Town’s fusion of rap and rock led to the massive success of ‘Butterfly,’ which sampled Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ ‘Pretty Little Ditty.’ The single’s popularity propelled the band to stardom, topping charts in the US and reaching number three in the UK.

Following their remarkable rise, Crazy Town faced difficulties maintaining their momentum with subsequent albums. Binzer collaborated with Paul Oakenfold on ‘Starry Eyed Surprise’ and released a solo album under his Shifty Shellshock persona. The band went on hiatus, underwent lineup changes, and dealt with personal struggles, including Binzer’s well-documented battle with addiction.

Binzer’s life was marked by tumultuous events, including a rocky engagement with British model Jasmine Lennard and legal troubles, such as a DUI arrest in 2022. His passing adds to the tragic losses of former Crazy Town members Rust Epique and DJ AM in previous years.