Shifty Shellshock Was Introspective in Final Instagram Posts Before His Death at 49: 'I Need to Love More'

The Crazy Town frontman shared messages online about being "sober" and a "black sheep" before his death

Seth Binzer attends the Immersive Frida Kahlo Preview at the Lighthouse Artspace Los Angeles on March 30, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Seth Binzer a.k.a. Shifty Shellshock in Los Angeles in March 2022. Photo:

Vivien Killilea/Getty

Shifty Shellshock shared several online posts alluding to his ups and downs before his death. 

The Crazy Town frontman, whose real name was Seth Binzer, was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Monday, June 24. A cause of death has not yet been listed by a medical examiner. He was 49. 

In an April 28 Instagram post, the rap artist talked openly about needing love. 

“I’m a lover than a fighter …but the one I need to love more Instead of fight with is myself .. mr shifty true Love # Sober alive and grateful,” Binzer captioned the photo.

Frontman Shifty Shellshock from the group Crazy Town.
Frontman Shifty Shellshock from the group Crazy Town.

Markus Cuff/Corbis via Getty��

The image was a night time shot of a graffiti design on the ground that read, “True Love” written in black and pink ink. “Long Beach” and a heart was also included in the artwork. 

At the time, fans offered their support in his comment section. 

“Sending you love & strength. I'm here, always,” one person wrote. 

Another said, “I think of you, and remember sober CAN be accomplished. Your days of island abandonment and swimming in shark water are over. I'm thankful I don't have to worry about you anymore. 1 day at a time Seth.”

Binzer previously dealt with substance abuse throughout his career, appearing on the VH1 shows Celebrity Rehab and Sober House. He also was hospitalized in 2012 after losing consciousness and falling into a coma, before recovering, Variety reported.

The outlet added that the artist was also arrested for a DUI in 2022.

In another April 28 Instagram post, Bizner shared an image that referenced those who felt like “black sheep” and “loners.”

Text written on the graphic read: “The black sheep, the odd ducks, the rejects, the eccentrics, the loners, the lost and forgotten. More often than not, these people have the most beautiful souls.”

In 1999, Crazy Town gained notoriety with their debut album The Gift of Game’s third single — “Butterfly.”

The 2003 romcom Something’s Gotta Give, starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, featured the song in the film. 

Crazy Town
Crazy Town in Berlin in March 2001.

Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty 

In addition to Binzer, the rock group consisted of Rust Epique, James Bradley Jr., Doug Miller, Adam Goldstein and Antonio Lorenzo “Trouble” Valli. Following the success of “Butterfly,” the group released their sophomore album Darkhorse in 2002, but broke up after they failed to reach the same levels of acclaim, Deadline reported.

The band had several more changes, including got back together in 2015 as the Brimstone Sluggers, then becoming the Crazy Town X after Mazur left in 2017, Deadline added.

At one point, Binzer also pursued a solo career. 

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In January, Binzer announced the band would be releasing a new version of “Butterfly” in collaboration with Black Oxygen.

“My good friends here are doing a cover of ‘Butterfly’ that’s fresh and still classic. It’s gonna be special. It’s been 20-something years since we released it, and it’s going to be a fun, cool, new version of ‘Butterfly’ for a new generation,” Binzer said.

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