Crazy Town Lead Singer Shifty Shellshock dies at 49

Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of rap-rock band Crazy Town, has passed away at the age of 49.

Shellshock was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Monday, June 24. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Born in 1974, Binzer grew up surrounded by the music industry. His father, Rollin Binzer, directed the 1973 concert film “Ladies And Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones,” and his mother, Leslie Brooks, was a model.

Influenced by the Beastie Boys, Binzer formed Crazy Town with Bret “Epic” Mazur in the early 1990s, blending hip-hop with a full instrumental backing band.

Crazy Town initially faced challenges, with their early singles failing to chart and Binzer experiencing personal setbacks, including legal issues and struggles with addiction.

However, their breakthrough came with “Butterfly,” a song that sampled a riff from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Pretty Little Ditty.”

After the success of “Butterfly,” Crazy Town disbanded in 2002 following underwhelming sales of their second album, “Darkhorse.”

Binzer then pursued a solo career, achieving moderate success with his album “Happy Love Sick” and the single “Starry Eyed Surprise,” which reached number six in the UK charts.

Throughout his life, Binzer candidly discussed his battles with substance abuse, appearing on reality shows like “Celebrity Rehab” and “Sober House.”

Despite personal challenges, he continued to perform and collaborate within the music industry.

Shifty Shellshock is survived by his three children, Halo, Gage, and Phoenix.