Shifty Shellshock, Crazy Town frontman and 'Butterfly' singer, dies at 49

Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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Shifty Shellshock in July 2023. The Crazy Town lead singer was found dead at a residence in Los Angeles on June 24, 2024.
Shifty Shellshock in July 2023. The Crazy Town lead singer was found dead at a residence in Los Angeles on June 24, 2024.

Shifty Shellshock, lead singer of the rap-rock band Crazy Town, has died. He was 49.

Shellshock, born Seth Binzer, died at a Los Angeles residence on Monday, according to Los Angeles Medical Examiner records. A cause of death is unknown at this time.

In a statement to The Sun published Saturday, Shellshock's family said the musician's "dedication to his music and fans never wavered."

“Seth struggled with addiction throughout his life. He did so on a very public platform, which was particularly challenging," the family said. “God knows he tried so hard to beat his demons but sadly he lost his battle.

“Our hearts are shattered by his loss. Seth's larger-than-life presence touched so many. Seth was a troubled soul, but he was a beautiful one and he had a heart of gold."

Crazy Town was known for the 1999 single "Butterfly," which reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2001. Their debut album, 1999's "The Gift of Game," sold 1.6 million units. The band broke up in 2003 after declining success in subsequent music projects.

The band included more than a dozen current and former members, including co-founder Bret "Epic" Mazur, DJ Rick One, Mark White, Adam "DJ Adam 12" Bravin, Charles "Rust Epique" Lopez and the late Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein.

USA TODAY has reached out to the LA medical examiner's office and Crazy Town's label.

Singer Seth Binzer arrives at the 2nd Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival's Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the House of Blues on Sept. 10, 2009, in West Hollywood, California. Binzer, also known as Shifty Shellshock, died June 24, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Singer Seth Binzer arrives at the 2nd Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival's Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at the House of Blues on Sept. 10, 2009, in West Hollywood, California. Binzer, also known as Shifty Shellshock, died June 24, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Binzer and Mazur reformed Crazy Town in 2007 and released an album in 2015. Mazur left the band in 2017, and Binzer changed the band's name to Crazy Town X.

Binzer appeared on the VH1 reality television series "Celebrity Rehab" Season 1 for cocaine addiction in 2008 and returned in Season 2 after producer and star Dr. Drew Pinsky learned of his relapse. The singer also appeared on the short-lived spin-off "Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House" Season 1 in 2009 and Season 2 in 2010.

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Tributes came in on a post on Shellshock's Instagram page, which hasn't been active since April.

Photographer Mike Azira wrote: "RIP old friend… remember you best as a kid in a skateboard with the entire world in front of you… sending love to your family."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town died: 'Butterfly' singer was 49

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