Crazy Town's Shifty Shellshock 'Sober, Happy' as Clip Emerges Before He Died

One of Shifty Shellshock's final interviews before his death a fortnight ago has resurfaced and, in it, he said he was feeling sober and happy.

Shellshock, whose given name was Seth Binzer, was the co-founder and lead vocalist for the popular rap-rock group Crazy Town, best known for their 2001 No. 1 hit "Butterfly."

The singer was found dead at his home aged 49 years old on June 24, according to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Afterwards, the band's manager told People the frontman died of an accidental drug overdose, but a cause of death has not yet been listed, pending the return of toxicology reports.

In footage obtained by TMZ, Shellshock discussed his sobriety with Mayra Dias Gomes at a Rock to Recovery benefit concert at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood last August. When asked how he was feeling, Shellshock said he was "feeling sober" and told Dias Gomes that music and his children give him a purpose in life.

Newsweek emailed Shellshock's representatives for comment Friday.

"No, I'm feeling good. Sober, happy... I think music has kept me alive. I think it always is, uh, the light that gives me, uh—that and my children inspire me to live. Music has always been my therapy; it has helped me get through everything," Shellshock said.

The singer also shared his theory as to why recovering addicts make such great artists, saying: "Recovering addicts have been there, to the darkest; they've been to the darkest places and made it back. So we always, we always have good content."

During his interview with People magazine, Crazy Town manager Howie Hubberman said Shellshock struggled with the rapid success of the band.

"Seth Binzer, after struggling with addiction and Crazy Town's rapid success with 'Butterfly,' never was able to reach out on a more successful level to deal with his addictions," Hubberman told the publication. "We all tried, but ultimately we all failed, or Shifty would still be here."

He added: "The cause of death was a combination of prescription drugs and street-purchased drugs. Shifty was a friend and really wanted to get himself fixed—unfortunately, no one had the exact tools to do this, myself included."

Having appeared on two seasons of the reality TV programs Sober House and Celebrity Rehab, Shellshock has discussed his battle with drug addiction throughout his career.

In a 2001 interview with Rolling Stone, he said that he had been arrested for shoplifting and had spent years misusing drugs, during which time he also sold illegal substances.

Shellshock had a history of run-ins with the law. In 2012, he was given a three-year probationary term for domestic violence and crack cocaine possession.

"I would like to sincerely apologize to the parties involved... I feel very bad for those who I have offended and those who have endured this situation," Shellshock told TMZ at the time.

In 2022, Shellshock had been dating Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye. Months after their split, he was arrested in Los Angeles for driving under the influence.

Crazy Town's debut studio album, The Gift of Game, was released in 1999. The band followed this with a tour support slot for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and released their follow-up album—Darkhorse—in 2002. However, they broke up soon after its dismal commercial performance. Crazy Town reformed in 2007 and released their third album, The Brimstone Sluggers, in 2015.