Shifty Shellshock
{{Short description|American singer (1974–2024)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Shifty Shellshock
| image = Shifty_Shellshock_2009.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = close-up of Binzer wearing a dark shirt and patterned baseball cap and smiling at camera
| caption = Binzer in 2009
| birth_name = Seth Brooks Binzer
| birth_date = {{birth date|1974|8|23}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|6|24|1974|8|23}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Rap rock{{cite web|last=Nimmervoll|first=Ed|author-link=Ed Nimmervoll|title=Crazy Town − Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/crazy-town-p383978/biography|website=AllMusic|access-date=May 28, 2014|archive-date=August 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819035945/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/crazy-town-p383978/biography|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews//4825|title=Crazy Town : The Gift Of Game|date=September 12, 2005|work=NME|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222112535/http://www.nme.com/reviews//4825|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=1686 |last=Wippsson |first=Johan |title=Crazytown − Darkhorse |work=Melodic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925231748/http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=1686 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}|alternative rock{{cite web|url=http://radio.com/2013/05/01/top-10-alt-rock-one-hit-wonders/|title=Top 10 Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders|access-date=July 31, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718013005/http://radio.com/2013/05/01/top-10-alt-rock-one-hit-wonders/|archive-date=July 18, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.axs.com/the-5-best-one-hit-wonder-alternative-rock-artists-45859|title=The 5 best one-hit wonder alternative rock artists|last=Miller|first=Victoria|work=AXS|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222617/http://www.axs.com/the-5-best-one-hit-wonder-alternative-rock-artists-45859|url-status=live}}|nu metal{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/photos/30-nu-metal-bands-you-d-forgotten/321759#/photo/1|title=28 Nu-Metal Era Bands You Probably Forgot All About|date=August 11, 2011|work=NME|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210233902/http://www.nme.com/photos/30-nu-metal-bands-you-d-forgotten/321759#/photo/1|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.teamrock.com/features/2014-09-19/the-bluffer-s-guide-nu-metal|title=The Bluffer's Guide: Nu-Metal|work=Team Rock|access-date=July 31, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222131302/https://www.teamrock.com/features/2014-09-19/the-bluffer-s-guide-nu-metal|url-status=live}}{{cite book|first=Tommy|last=Udo|title=Brave Nu World|year=2002|publisher=Sanctuary Publishing|isbn=1-86074-415-X|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/187 187–88]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/187}}|rap metal{{cite web|url=http://www.confrontmagazine.com/2015/06/album-announcement-crazy-town-return-with-the-brimstone-sluggers/|title=Album Announcement: Crazy Town Return With "The Brimstone Sluggers"|work=Confort Magazine|access-date=July 31, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150812031647/http://www.confrontmagazine.com/2015/06/album-announcement-crazy-town-return-with-the-brimstone-sluggers/|archive-date=August 12, 2015}}}}
| occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|actor}}
| years_active = 1992–2024
| label =
| past_member_of = Crazy Town
}}
Seth Brooks Binzer (August 23, 1974 – June 24, 2024), better known by his stage name Shifty Shellshock,{{cite web |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/celebrity-rehab/profile/shifty-shellshock.aspx |title=Shifty Shellshock |date=February 27, 2008 |work=BuddyTV |access-date=June 11, 2010 |archive-date=January 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113115551/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/celebrity-rehab/profile/shifty-shellshock.aspx |url-status=live }} was an American rapper and singer-songwriter who cofounded the rap rock band Crazy Town, known for their hit song "Butterfly". He later had a solo career as well. Binzer struggled with addiction throughout his career and appeared on the reality television series Celebrity Rehab and Sober House.
Music career
=Crazy Town=
{{Main|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.{{cite magazine |last1=Edwards |first1=Gavin |title=Q&A: Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 15, 2001 |issue=864 |page=35}} 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.{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Tina |date=June 13, 2006 |title=Crazy Town Leaves Ozzfest After Arrest |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427579/20000713/crazy_town.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217192105/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427579/20000713/crazy_town.jhtml |archive-date=February 17, 2009 |access-date=June 11, 2010 |work=MTV}}
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.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77197/billboard-bits-crazy-town-nelly-ny-metropolis-fest |title=News on Crazy Town, Nelly, NY Metropolis Fest |last=Jeckell |first=Barry |date=January 10, 2002 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126050648/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/77197/billboard-bits-crazy-town-nelly-ny-metropolis-fest |url-status=live }}
Their 2002 follow-up album, Darkhorse,{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457740/crazy-town-ride-darkhorse.jhtml |title=Crazy Town Take On All Comers With Darkhorse |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Joe |date=September 23, 2002 |work=MTV |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212213231/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457740/crazy-town-take-on-all-comers-with-darkhorse/ |url-status=dead }} was a commercial failure by comparison, and the band broke up shortly after its release.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1551815/where-ya-been-city-high-crazy-town.jhtml |title=Where Ya Been?: City High Drop Out, Crazy Town Stop The Insanity |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |date=February 8, 2007 |work=MTV |access-date=December 11, 2012 |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428020752/http://www.mtv.com/news/1551815/where-ya-been-city-high-drop-out-crazy-town-stop-the-insanity/ |url-status=dead }}
Crazy Town announced they had reformed in 2007,{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Chris |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1575877/kris-kross-crazy-town-emf-extreme-and-more-unmemorable-reunions-in-our-year-end-top-10s/ |title=Kris Kross, Crazy Town, EMF, Extreme And More Unmemorable Reunions, In Our Year-End Top 10s − Music, Celebrity, Artist News |work=MTV |date=December 5, 2007 |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-date=June 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607204212/http://www.mtv.com/news/1575877/kris-kross-crazy-town-emf-extreme-and-more-unmemorable-reunions-in-our-year-end-top-10s/ |url-status=dead }} and performed live for the first time in five years in August 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celebrity-studded-red-carpet-event-62045737.html |title=Celebrity Studded Red Carpet Event |date=August 25, 2009 |work=PR Newswire |access-date=May 28, 2014 |archive-date=May 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529051940/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celebrity-studded-red-carpet-event-62045737.html |url-status=live }} They released their third album, The Brimstone Sluggers, in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-brimstone-sluggers-mw0002862890 |title=Crazy Town: The Brimstone Sluggers |work=AllMusic |access-date=October 2, 2015}}
=Solo career and the Big Shots=
Image:Shifty Shellshock LF.jpg
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.{{cite web |last=Bychawski |first=Adam |url=http://www.nme.com/news/paul-oakenfold/8721 |title=Oakenfold's Cray 'Starry-Eyed' Sensation |work=NME |date=July 26, 2001 |access-date=October 28, 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203801/http://www.nme.com/news/paul-oakenfold/8721 |url-status=live }}
The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the UK Singles Chart.
Binzer released his only solo album, Happy Love Sick, in 2004. The first single from the album, "Slide Along Side", charted in several European countries, including number 29 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 11 in Italy.{{cite web |url=https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Shifty&titel=Slide+Along+Side&cat=s |title=Shifty – Slide Along Side |work=lescharts.com }}
In July 2010, Binzer's new group, Shifty and the Big Shots, released their first single, "Save Me".{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003TKLE44 |title=Save Me by Shifty and The Big Shots |work=Amazon.com |access-date=June 30, 2010}}
Personal life
Binzer was born in Los Angeles on August 23, 1974; his father, Rollin Binzer, worked as an artist and documentary film director, and his mother, Leslie Brooks, worked as a model and script proofreader.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/arts/music/shifty-shellshock-dead-crazy-town.html|title = Seth Binzer, Crazy Town's Lead Singer, 'Shifty Shellshock,' Dies at 49|last1 = Ruberg|first1 = Sara|last2 = Sanders|first2 = Hank|date = June 25, 2024|newspaper = The New York Times|url-access = limited|accessdate = June 25, 2024|archive-date = June 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625202213/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/arts/music/shifty-shellshock-dead-crazy-town.html|url-status = live}}{{cite web |last1=Motwane |first1=Alea |title=Shifty Shellshock, Crazy Town Lead Singer, Dead at 49 |url=https://lamag.com/obituary/shifty-shellshock-crazy-towns-lead-singer-dead-at-49 |website=Los Angeles |access-date=June 29, 2024 |language=en |date=June 25, 2024 |quote=Born on Aug. 23, 1974, Binzer was raised in Southern California by his parents Leslie Brooks and Rollin Binzer. ... By the age of 12, he started writing rhymes and rap songs, marking the beginning of his musical journey.}} He grew up primarily in Los Angeles with the exception of a brief period in Marblehead, Massachusetts. He began writing rhymes and rap songs by the age of 12.
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.{{cite magazine |last1=Keeps |first1=David |title=U are now Entering Crazy Town |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/u-are-now-entering-crazy-town-46206/ |date=August 2, 2001 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=March 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317120704/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/u-are-now-entering-crazy-town-46206/ |url-status=live}}
Binzer married Melissa Clark in 2002. They had a son named Halo. In 2011, Clark filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Binzer dated Tracy Shelor{{cite web |url=https://ca.news.yahoo.com/crazy-town-singer-shifty-shellshock-141328443.html |title=Crazy Town singer Shifty Shellshock who sang 'Butterfly' dies aged 49 |last=Mouriquand |first=David |date=June 26, 2024 |work=Yahoo! News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625170051/https://ca.news.yahoo.com/crazy-town-singer-shifty-shellshock-141328443.html |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |url-status=live}} in 2008. They had a son named Gage.
Binzer began a relationship with British model 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/27/shifty-shellshock-arrested-dui-crazy-town-celebrity-rehab-seth-binzer/ |title=Shifty Shellshock Arrested on Outstanding Warrants |date=March 7, 2011 |work=TMZ |access-date=May 22, 2011 |archive-date=May 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528175359/http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/27/shifty-shellshock-arrested-dui-crazy-town-celebrity-rehab-seth-binzer/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://noisecreep.com/shifty-shellshock-sentenced/ |title=Crazy Town's Shifty Shellshock Sentenced to Three Years Probation for Cocaine Possession |first=Amy |last=Sciarretto |date=August 1, 2012 |work=Noise Creep |access-date=October 3, 2015 |archive-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004022030/http://noisecreep.com/shifty-shellshock-sentenced/ |url-status=live }} Binzer and Lennard had a son named Phoenix. 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.{{cite web |title=Baby's Mama asks for full custody |url=http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/21/shifty-shellshock-crazytown-smoke-crack-in-kids-rooom/ |work=TMZ |date=November 23, 2013 |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216221107/http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/21/shifty-shellshock-crazytown-smoke-crack-in-kids-rooom/ |url-status=live }}
In 2022, Binzer was dating actress Soleil Moon Frye when he was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles.{{cite magazine|title=Soleil Moon Frye's Boyfriend Shifty Shellshock Arrested For DUI|author=OK! Staff|magazine=OK! News|date=July 6, 2022|url=https://okmagazine.com/p/soleil-moon-frye-boyfriend-shifty-shellshock-arrested-dui/|access-date=February 15, 2024|archive-date=January 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105212313/https://okmagazine.com/p/soleil-moon-frye-boyfriend-shifty-shellshock-arrested-dui/|url-status=live}}
=Addiction problems and reality shows=
Following his struggle with substance abuse, Binzer was one of nine celebrities featured in the first season of VH1's Celebrity Rehab.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/celeb-rehab-what-are-they-doing-now-22941/ |title=Dr. Drew's Celeb Rehabbers -– How Clean Are They Now? |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=December 1, 2010 |work=TheWrap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619200404/https://www.thewrap.com/celeb-rehab-what-are-they-doing-now-22941/ |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |url-status=live}} Binzer graduated from treatment with the other cast members in the summer of 2007. His sobriety was short-lived and subsequently he appeared briefly towards the end of Celebrity Rehab 2, where Dr. Drew and Binzer's sponsor retrieved him from his hotel room where he had been using drugs and brought him to the Pasadena Recovery Center.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/seth-binzer-shifty-shellshock-crazy-town-butterfly-singer-dead-dies-obit/ |title=Seth Binzer, Crazy Town Frontman and 'Butterfly' Singer Who Went by Shifty Shellshock, Dies at 49 |last=Dickey |first=Josh |date=June 25, 2024 |work=TheWrap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625130541/https://www.thewrap.com/seth-binzer-shifty-shellshock-crazy-town-butterfly-singer-dead-dies-obit/ |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |url-status=live}}
Binzer also appeared on a follow-up show titled Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House. In July 2008, while shooting scenes for the show, Binzer walked out on production and into a heavy relapse after feeling insulted at a club.{{cite web |url=http://www.tmz.com/2008/07/28/shifty-shellshock-falls-off-sober-living-wagon/ |title=Shifty Shellshock Falls Off "Sober Living" Wagon |date=July 28, 2008 |work=TMZ |access-date=June 11, 2010}} 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.{{cite AV media |people= |date=March 12, 2009 |title=Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House: Season one, episode eight |type=Television episode |location=United States |publisher=Irwin Entertainment, Inc. }} 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 Binzer and the two met, with Binzer 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.{{cite AV media |people= |date=March 18, 2010 |title=Celebrity Rehab Presents Sober House: Season two, episode two |type=Television episode |location=United States |publisher=Irwin Entertainment, Inc. }}
=Health problems and death=
{{see|Opioid epidemic in the United States}}
On March 29, 2012, Binzer was admitted to a hospital after losing consciousness. He awakened from the coma and was later released from the hospital.{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/291905/crazy-town-singer-shifty-shellshock-apologizes-for-drug-addiction-arrest/ |title=Crazy Town Singer Shifty Shellshock Apologizes For Drug Addiction, Arrest |date=August 3, 2012 |work=inquisitr.com |access-date=November 26, 2012 |archive-date=February 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226143249/http://www.inquisitr.com/291905/crazy-town-singer-shifty-shellshock-apologizes-for-drug-addiction-arrest/ |url-status=live }}
On June 24, 2024, Binzer died at his home in Los Angeles from an accidental overdose of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine; he was 49.{{cite web |url=https://me.lacounty.gov/case-detail/?caseNumber=2024-10084 |title=Seth Binzer |work=County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner |access-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625133422/https://me.lacounty.gov/case-detail/?caseNumber=2024-10084 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url = https://people.com/crazy-town-frontman-shifty-shellshock-cause-death-fentanyl-cocaine-methamphetamine-8669160|title = Crazy Town Frontman Shifty Shellshock Cause of Death Revealed 3 Months After He Died at 49|last1 = Chinman|first1 = Luke|last2 = Clam|first2 = Flarna|work = People|date = September 24, 2024|accessdate = September 24, 2024}}
Discography
{{see also|Crazy Town#Discography}}
=Albums=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Year ! Album details |
| 2004
| align="left"| Happy Love Sick
|
=Singles=
As Shifty & the Big Shots
- 2010: "Save Me"{{cite news |title=È morto a 49 anni Shifty Shellshock, il frontman dei Crazy Town |url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/24_giugno_25/e-morto-a-49-anni-shifty-shellshock-il-frontman-dei-crazy-town-54f1cd01-5fa6-4b0c-a795-d02fd977fxlk.shtml |work=Corriere della Sera |date=June 25, 2024 |language=it-IT}}
- 2010: "City of Angels"
Others
- 2006: "Greatest Lovers" (Shellshock & Pony Boy){{cite web |title=Seth Binzer Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/seth-binzer-mn0001913356#credits |website=AllMusic |language=en}}
Filmography
Binzer had a minor role in the 1994 film Clifford, and played the lead role in the 2004 short film Willowbee. He also appeared in the 2016 film Dead 7.{{cite web |last=Yamato |first=Jen |title=On the Set of 'Dead 7,' the All Boy-Band Zombie Western|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/22/on-the-set-of-dead-7-the-all-boy-band-zombie-western.html |work=The Daily Beast |date=September 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127134349/https://www.thedailybeast.com/on-the-set-of-dead-7-the-all-boy-band-zombie-western |archive-date=November 27, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{discogs artist}}
- {{IMDb name|0083133|Seth Binzer}}
{{crazy}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shellshock, Shifty}}
Category:20th-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:Accidental deaths in California
Category:American rock singers
Category:Cocaine-related deaths in California
Category:Drug-related deaths in California
Category:Participants in American reality television series