In July 2023, Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of Crazy Town, made a bold decision to get sober again.
This commitment came despite a long history of battling addiction, having checked into rehab over a dozen times in the past twenty years.
Shellshock, whose real name is Seth Binzer, was eager to hit the road with his new band, DeadXHeadz.
However, he knew that before anything, he needed to clean up his act.
Unfortunately, this time around, Binzer’s situation took a darker turn.
A Dangerous Descent
Binzer confided in his friend and bandmate, Mike ‘Rebel’ Raymo, revealing that he wasn’t just using drugs but had also begun dealing them in Downtown Los Angeles.
He had fallen in with dangerous street gangs and even had connections to a major drug dealer.
In an emotional voice recording, Binzer promised Raymo that he would undergo a three to five-day detox and attend meetings, expressing his determination to clean up and make his friend proud.
However, he also asked for one last night to enjoy himself and tell his partner he loved her.
Sadly, Binzer never managed to keep his promise.
Nearly a year later, on June 24, he was found dead in a rundown Koreatown flophouse.
Among his belongings were injectable medications and Narcan nasal spray, typically used to reverse opioid overdoses.
A Life Cut Short
Melissa Binzer, the rocker’s former wife, spoke to DailyMail.com about the tragic situation.
She expressed her belief that Binzer had not intended to die and had likely kept the Narcan on hand as a precaution.
The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, with the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office yet to release an official cause.
However, Binzer’s manager, Howie Hubberman, has confirmed that the rapper died from an accidental overdose.
Binzer had struggled with homelessness and had been living in a tent at McArthur Park before moving into the Koreatown flophouse for less than two weeks.
His life had been marked by highs and lows, including his appearances on the reality TV show Celebrity Rehab and his efforts to revive his career with new music.
A Legacy of Struggles and Music
Despite his struggles, Binzer was committed to making music.
His new group, DeadXHeadz, continued working on songs that reflected his battle with addiction.
Tracks like “High Sober” and “Dance on Hollywood” spoke to his experiences and inner turmoil.
In a poignant message to Raymo, Binzer had expressed hope that their music would be celebrated even after his death.
Binzer’s last days were marked by a turbulent mix of public appearances and private struggles.
He managed to attend a benefit fundraiser in August 2023, but those close to him knew he was far from sober.
Remembering a Talented Life
Raymo, who had been friends with Binzer for over two decades, reflected on his friend’s legacy.
He plans to honor Binzer by ensuring that a portion of the proceeds from DeadXHeadz’s future music goes to Binzer’s eldest son, Halo.
“People need to know that Seth wasn’t just a one-hit wonder,” Raymo said.
“He was incredibly talented and truly lived the life he rapped about. It’s tragic that it was that same life that ultimately took him.”
Binzer is survived by three sons from different relationships.
His death has left a profound impact on his family and friends, who remember him as a complex individual who struggled but also had moments of brilliance and joy.
In the end, Binzer’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges of addiction and the difficulty of finding redemption, even for those who deeply want it.
TDPel Media
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