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Shifty Shellshock

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Shifty Shellshock
Shifty Shellshock attending the "Babes In Toyland" Toy Drive in 2009
Shifty Shellshock attending the "Babes In Toyland" Toy Drive in 2009
Background information
Birth nameSeth Brooks Binzer
Also known asShifty Shellshock
Born(1974-08-23)August 23, 1974
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJune 24, 2024(2024-06-24) (aged 49)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • actor
Years active1992–2024
Formerly ofCrazy Town

Seth Brooks Binzer (August 23, 1974 – June 24, 2024), better known by his stage name Shifty Shellshock,[10] was an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and vocalist, best known for cofounding and fronting the rap rock band Crazy Town, known for their hit song "Butterfly", and less for his solo career. He abused substances throughout much of his life and appeared on the reality television series Celebrity Rehab and Sober House.

Music career[edit]

Crazy Town[edit]

Main article: Crazy Town

Binzer met fellow Crazy Town frontman Bret Mazur in 1992; they started collaborating under the name The Brimstone Sluggers. By early 1999, they formed the group Crazy Town.[11] In 2000, Crazy Town was signed to tour with Ozzfest. They were kicked out after two weeks when Binzer was arrested for throwing a chair through a window while drunk.[11][12]

The band's single, "Butterfly", was a global hit. It peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and in several other countries including Austria, Denmark, and Norway. The success of the single prompted sales of their debut album, The Gift of Game, to exceed 1.5 million.[13]

Their 2002 follow-up album, Darkhorse,[14] was a commercial failure by comparison, and the band broke up shortly after its release.[15]

Crazy Town announced they had reformed in 2007,[16] and performed live for the first time in five years in August 2009.[17] They released their third album, The Brimstone Sluggers, in 2015.

Solo career and the Big Shots[edit]

Shellshock in 2007

During Crazy Town's hiatus, Binzer collaborated with British producer and musician Paul Oakenfold, contributing vocals to Oakenfold's hit single "Starry Eyed Surprise". The track was for Oakenfold's first solo studio album Bunkka. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in the US, Binzer said that the track was created after the pair met at a Crazy Town show.[18]

The song peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the UK Singles Chart in Oakenfold's native United Kingdom. Binzer released his only solo album, Happy Love Sick in 2004. He released two singles from the album: "Slide Along Side" a pan-European hit for Shifty that peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart with moderate chart success in Italy, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. His follow-up single, "Turning Me On", did not chart.

In July 2010, Binzer's new group, Shifty and the Big Shots, released their first single, "Save Me".[19]

Personal life[edit]

Binzer was born in Los Angeles in 1974; his father, Rollin Binzer worked as an artist and director, and his mother, Leslie Brooks, worked as a model and script proofreader.[20] He grew up primarily in Los Angeles with the exception of a brief period in Marblehead, Massachusetts.[20]

In a 2001 interview with Rolling Stone, Binzer admitted to spending three months in the California Institution for Men following an attempted burglary, to selling and using recreational drugs over a period of several years, as well as to struggling with drug addiction.[21]

Binzer married Melissa Clark in 2002. They had a son named Halo. In 2011, Clark filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Binzer dated a woman named Tracy in 2008. They had a son named Gage.[20]

Binzer began a relationship with Jasmine Lennard in 2010. On March 27, 2011, police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance between the pair. Binzer was arrested for outstanding warrants and released later that day. In a video interview with TMZ.com, Binzer stated the disturbance was simply a noise complaint, and that the outstanding warrant was for counter-assaulting a security guard who was using unnecessary force when trying to throw him out of a club.[22] Lennard and Binzer announced their engagement in 2012. Binzer was arrested in February 2012 for battery and cocaine possession, and sentenced to three years' probation; his relationship with Lennard ended shortly thereafter.[23] Binzer and Lennard had a son named Phoenix.[20] In 2013, Lennard asked a California court for exclusive custody of their son, claiming Binzer smoked crack in front of him and once left a crack pipe in his room.[24]

In 2022, Binzer was dating childhood friend and Punky Brewster actress Soleil Moon Frye when he was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles.[25]

Addiction problems and reality shows[edit]

Celebrity Rehab 1: Following his struggle with substance abuse, Binzer was one of nine celebrities featured in the first season of VH1's Celebrity Rehab.[26][failed verification] Upon arrival at the Pasadena Recovery Center (which was filmed as part of Celebrity Rehab's first episode), Binzer was in a sober state but brought along a couple of Red Stripe beers, which were quickly confiscated. Binzer told Dr. Drew Pinsky that he was motivated to achieve sobriety and admitted that cocaine would be the toughest drug for him to avoid.

Celebrity Rehab 2: Binzer graduated from treatment with the other cast members in the summer of 2007. His sobriety was short-lived and subsequently appeared toward the end of Celebrity Rehab 2. Dr. Drew and Binzer's sponsor retrieved him from his hotel room where he had been using and brought him to the Pasadena Recovery Center where they, along with Bob Forrest, pleaded with him to reenter treatment immediately. he agreed to reenter treatment but said he needed "an hour or two" to "chill" and "get a cup of coffee", so he could ready himself for treatment. Realizing that his subterfuge was not fooling anyone (he wanted the time to have another fix), he admitted his intentions: "Even though I don't like the drugs, I like 'em". As Binzer got up to leave, the worn-out Dr. Drew said to Binzer's sponsor: "If he stops breathing, call the paramedics." Under the supervision of his sponsor, Binzer scored drugs, returned to the rehab facility that night in an intense state of crack cocaine-induced intoxication, and smoked the remainder of his crack on the roof. He eventually entered the facility and reentered treatment.

Sober House 1: Binzer also appeared on a follow-up show titled Sober House. On July 25, 2008, while shooting scenes for the show, he felt insulted at a club, so walked out on production and into a heavy relapse.[27] To the annoyance of Dr. Drew, Bob Forrest, and several of his housemates, he treated his relapse like a game and sent everyone coded videos on his MySpace about his current location. William Smith, an employee of Dr. Drew, eventually sought out Binzer at a motel and brought him back to the rehab facility. An embarrassed Binzer pledged to Smith and Dr. Drew that the binge he embarked on was his last. On the show's final episode, Binzer is shown in the preliminary stages of being signed to a record producer for a new song, and resolves to stay sober.

Sober House 2: On the August 30, 2009, episode of Loveline, Dr. Drew gave an emotional eulogy to his good friend and Binzer's former bandmate DJ AM, who had died two days previously from an accidental drug overdose shortly after breaking 11 years of sobriety. During the tribute, Dr. Drew mentioned that Binzer's problems with addiction continued after Sober House 1, eventually leading Binzer to take part in Sober House 2. When filming for Sober House 2 began, Dr. Drew got a "distress call" from Seth (filmed as part of the season's second episode) and the two met, with Seth revealing to Drew that his thirst for drugs was still very much active, and that he needed more help. Dr. Drew reluctantly allowed him to take part in the show and firmly stated that it would be the last time Drew gave him treatment. Dr. Drew voiced his hope that Goldstein's death would inspire Binzer to remain sober. Binzer later thanked Dr. Drew for his tough love.

Health issues and death[edit]

On March 29, 2012, Binzer was admitted to a hospital after losing consciousness. Binzer awakened from the coma and was later released from the hospital.[28]

Binzer was found dead in his home in Los Angeles on June 24, 2024, aged 49. No cause of death was given.[29][30][20]

Discography[edit]

See also: Crazy Town § Discography

Albums[edit]

Year Album details
2004 Happy Love Sick
  • UK release: July 13
  • US release: September 6
  • Label: Maverick

Singles[edit]

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
ITA
[31] 		UK
[32] 		SWE
[33] 		SWI
[34] 		FRA
[35] 		AUS
[36][37] 		NLD
[38] 		GER
[39] 		NZ
[40] 		US
[41] 		US
Top 40
[41]
2002 "Starry Eyed Surprise"
(Paul Oakenfold featuring Shifty Shellshock) 		— 6 — — — 37 41 — 19 41 13 Happy Love Sick
2004 "Slide Along Side" 11 29 36 42 45 48 24 63 — — 38
"Turning Me On" — — — — — — — — — — —
As Shifty & The Big Shots
  • 2010: "Save Me"
  • 2010: "City of Angels"
  • 2010: "Never Give Up"
Others
  • 2006: "Greatest Lovers" (Shellshock & Pony Boy)

Filmography[edit]

Binzer had a minor role in the 1994 film Clifford, and played the lead role in the 2004 short film Willowbee.[10] In 2005, he took part in the Shark Hunters: Ultimate Tournament Series TV series. He also appeared in the 2016 film Dead 7.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Nimmervoll, Ed. "Crazy Town − Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Crazy Town : The Gift Of Game". NME. September 12, 2005. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  3. ^ Wippsson, Johan. "Crazytown − Darkhorse". Melodic. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015.
  4. ^ "Top 10 Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders". Archived from the original on July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  5. ^ Miller, Victoria. "The 5 best one-hit wonder alternative rock artists". AXS. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  6. ^ "28 Nu-Metal Era Bands You Probably Forgot All About". NME. August 11, 2011. Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  7. ^ "The Bluffer's Guide: Nu-Metal". Team Rock. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  8. ^ Udo, Tommy (2002). Brave Nu World. Sanctuary Publishing. pp. 187–88. ISBN 1-86074-415-X.
  9. ^ "Album Announcement: Crazy Town Return With "The Brimstone Sluggers"". Confort Magazine. Archived from the original on August 12, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Shifty Shellshock". BuddyTV. February 27, 2008. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  11. ^ a b Edwards, Gavin (March 15, 2001). "Q&A: Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town". Rolling Stone. No. 864. p. 35.
  12. ^ Johnson, Tina (June 13, 2006). "Crazy Town Leaves Ozzfest After Arrest". MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  13. ^ Jeckell, Barry (January 10, 2002). "News on Crazy Town, Nelly, NY Metropolis Fest". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  14. ^ Wiederhorn, Joe (September 23, 2002). "Crazy Town Take On All Comers With Darkhorse". MTV. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  15. ^ Kaufman, Gil (February 8, 2007). "Where Ya Been?: City High Drop Out, Crazy Town Stop The Insanity". MTV. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  16. ^ Harris, Chris (December 5, 2007). "Kris Kross, Crazy Town, EMF, Extreme And More Unmemorable Reunions, In Our Year-End Top 10s − Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "Celebrity Studded Red Carpet Event". PR Newswire. August 25, 2009. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  18. ^ Bychawski, Adam (July 26, 2001). "Oakenfold's Cray 'Starry-Eyed' Sensation". NME. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  19. ^ "Save Me by Shifty and The Big Shots". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  20. ^ a b c d e Ruberg, Sara; Sanders, Hank (June 25, 2024). "Seth Binzer, Crazy Town's Lead Singer, 'Shifty Shellshock,' Dies at 49". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  21. ^ Keeps, David (August 2, 2001). "U are now Entering Crazy Town". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 17, 2019.
  22. ^ "Shifty Shellshock Arrested on Outstanding Warrants". TMZ. March 7, 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  23. ^ Sciarretto, Amy (August 1, 2012). "Crazy Town's Shifty Shellshock Sentenced to Three Years Probation for Cocaine Possession". Noise Creep. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  24. ^ "Baby's Mama asks for full custody". TMZ. November 23, 2013. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  25. ^ OK! Staff (July 6, 2022). "Soleil Moon Frye's Boyfriend Shifty Shellshock Arrested For DUI". OK! News. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  26. ^ "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew". VH1. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  27. ^ "Shifty Shellshock Falls Off "Sober Living" Wagon". TMZ. July 28, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  28. ^ "Crazy Town Singer Shifty Shellshock Apologizes For Drug Addiction, Arrest". inquisitr.com. August 3, 2012. Archived from the original on February 26, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
  29. ^ "Seth Binzer". County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Shafer, Ellise (June 25, 2024). "Shifty Shellshock, Crazy Town Frontman and 'Butterfly' Singer, Dies at 49". Variety. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  31. ^ "Shifty". italiancharts.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  32. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 496. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  33. ^ "Shifty". swedishcharts.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  34. ^ "Shifty". swisscharts.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  35. ^ "Shifty". lescharts.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  36. ^ "Shifty". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  37. ^ "Oakenfold – Starry Eyed Surprise (song)". australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  38. ^ Dutch Charts Archived December 7, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Search for 'Shifty' and 'Paul Oakenfold'
  39. ^ "Shifty". musicline.de. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  40. ^ "Seth "Shifty Shellshock" Binzer". charts.nz. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  41. ^ a b Allmusic Archived May 25, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Search for 'Shifty' and 'Paul Oakenfold'

External links[edit]

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