Crazy Town lead singer Shifty Shellshock, 49, passed away this week, and the cause of his death has now been revealed.
His manager, Howie Huberman tell People magazine reported, “The cause of death was a combination of prescription medication and drugs purchased on the street. Shifty was a friend and he truly wanted to get better, but unfortunately, no one, including me, had the exact tools to do so.”
Calling Shifty by his real name, Huberman continued, “Seth Binzer struggled with addiction and after his rapid success with Crazy Town’s ‘Butterfly’ he was unable to reach a more successful level to address his addiction. We all tried but ultimately failed, otherwise Shifty would still be here.”
People adds that the Los Angeles County coroner is pending toxicology test results to confirm his cause of death.
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Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock dies at age 49
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Earlier this week, TMZ reported that Binzer’s body was found in a Los Angeles home.
Law Enforcement Sources Said TMZ reported that authorities are investigating a possible fatal drug overdose, and a law enforcement source said drug paraphernalia and a lighter were found near the body.
Shellshock had been living a troubled life for the past few years, struggling with substance abuse issues. He appeared on two seasons of VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab” and two seasons of “Sober House.”
In 2012, the musician was hospitalized and fell into a coma, but eventually recovered. In 2022, he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.
Shellshock, whose only marriage ended in divorce, had recently been dating childhood sweetheart and former Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye.
A deadly drug combination killed DJ AM
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Shellshock began his music career in 1992 when he formed the Brimstone Sluggers with Brett Mazur, AKA Epic. In 1999, the band changed its name to Crazy Town and added members Last Epic, James Bradley Jr., AKA JBJ, Doug Miller, Antonio Lorenzo “Trouble” Valli, and the late Adam Goldstein, AKA DJ AM, who died of a drug overdose in 2009.
Crazy Town reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000 with the single “Butterfly” from their debut album, The Gift of Game.
The band released their sophomore album, Darkhorse, in 2002, but disbanded shortly thereafter. That same year, Shellshock enjoyed success with the track Starry Eyed Surprise, a collaboration with Paul Oakenfold.
He released a solo record, “Happy Love Sick,” in 2004.
Shellshock is survived by his three children, Halo, Gage and Phoenix.
