Shifty Shellshock’s loved ones are planning a “big” celebration of his life in his honor at Academy LA following his tragic passing at age 49 on June 24.
Nearly two months after his accidental overdose, the singer’s friends and family are coming together to pay tribute to his legacy and bid him farewell.
Epic Mazur, who formed the band Crazy Town with Shellshock, will reportedly “speak at the ceremony and is still deciding whether he wants to do a musical tribute to his late bandmate.”
TMZ DJ sets from Graham Funke, Lady Sinclair, Edski and Trixter have also been confirmed at the event, which is being organised by Pasquale Rotella.
Other artists who worked with Shellshock are also expected to perform, as well as some of their graffiti artist friends, who will be “creating murals from scratch.”
Shifty Shellshock’s loved ones are planning a ‘big’ celebration of life in his honor at Academy LA on Hollywood Boulevard, a month after his death; seen in 2013
The event flyer reads: ‘Join us to support one another, share favorite memories, eat and drink and celebrate the beautiful and wonderful life that brought light to ours.’
Due to the size of the venue, there is a limit on attendance.
According to TMZ, the event “was first shared with close family and friends and was not widely publicized.”
In June, Shellshock’s representative Howie Hubberman confirmed that his client died as a result of “a combination of prescription drugs and drugs purchased on the street.” People.
The “Butterfly” hitmaker, born Seth Binzer, died at his home in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Hubberman told the outlet that ‘Seth Binzer, after struggling with addiction and the rapid success of Crazy Town with Butterfly, was never able to reach a more successful level in dealing with his addictions.
“We all tried, but in the end we all failed, or Shifty would still be here.”
Hubberman described Binzer as “a friend” and said the singer “really wanted to fix himself” but “unfortunately no one had the exact tools to do it.”
Nearly two months after his accidental overdose, the singer’s friends and family are coming together to pay tribute to his legacy and bid him farewell (pictured in 2023)
Los Angeles County medical examiner officials have not formally released Binzer’s cause of death, citing pending toxicology reports, the outlet reported.
In 2012, Binzer, who struggled with substance abuse for years, was admitted to a hospital after losing consciousness and was in a coma before being discharged.
The musician recently spoke about his sobriety process and his battle “with himself.”
Eight weeks ago he wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m more of a lover than a fighter… but the one I need to love more, instead of fighting, is myself… Mr. True, Cunning Love. #Sober, Alive & Grateful.’
Binzer battled drug addiction for many years and appeared on the reality shows Celebrity Rehab 1 and 2 and Sober House 1 and 2.
He is survived by three children from three relationships.
Binzer has a son, Halo, with ex-wife Melissa Clark. The couple married in 2002, but Melissa filed for divorce in 2011 after the couple had been separated for six years. He later dated a woman named Tracy, with whom he had a son, Gage.
Binzer began a relationship with Jasmine Lennard in 2010 and they have a son, Phoenix. Their relationship ended after his arrest in 2012.
Epic Mazur, who formed the band Crazy Town with Shellshock, “will speak at the ceremony and is still deciding whether he wants to do a musical tribute to his late bandmate.”
TMZ also confirmed that there will be DJ sets from Graham Funke, Lady Sinclair, Edski and Trixter at the event, which is being hosted by Pasquale Rotella; seen in 2003
His band’s 2000s classic, Butterfly, topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and was number one in several other countries, including Austria, Denmark and Norway.
It contains samples of Pretty Little Ditty from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 1989 album Mother’s Milk, so the group is credited as songwriter.
Their debut album, The Gift of Game, sold over 1.5 million copies. However, after their next album, 2002’s Darkhorse, was a flop, they broke up.
They reformed in 2007 and returned to the stage in 2009. Their third album, The Brimstone Sluggers, followed in 2015.
In January 2017, Mazur, nicknamed Epic, announced his departure from the band, and Rick Dixon, Nick Diiorio and Kevin Kapler also quit in April.
Binzer then added an “X” next to the gang’s name, because “it’s used by gangs to symbolize territory that has just been won.”
In November 2019, Crazy Town’s tour van crashed into a moose in Ontario, Canada, and members, including Binzer, were treated for bruises and cuts in hospital.
Crazy Town – Binzer, DJ Rick One and Mark White – went on their final tour in 2023 with Hed PE.
Binzer battled drug addiction for many years and appeared on the reality shows Celebrity Rehab 1 and 2 and Sober House 1 and 2; he was seen with his band, Crazy Town, in 2000.
Binzer also had a solo career and joined forces with British producer and musician Paul Oakenfold to provide vocals for his 2002 hit Starry Eyed Surprise.
His debut solo album, Happy Love Sick, was released in 2004. He also formed Shifty and The Big Shots in 2010.
Binzer was often in trouble with the law, for crimes that included attempted robbery and the sale and use of recreational drugs.
Binzer was in a relationship with Jasmine Lennard in 2010, but police were called to a domestic disturbance between the couple the following year.
In 2022, he began having a romance with his childhood friend, Punky Brewster actress Soleil Moon Frye, 47, when he was arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles.
Tributes from fans poured in on X, formerly Twitter, following the announcement of his sudden passing.
They shared sentiments like, “Rip shifty shellshock,” “RIP to Shifty Shellshock from Crazy Town. I hope he’s found peace,” and “Slide Along Side by Shifty Shellshock was always on my playlist as a kid.”
Other memorial messages read: “RIP Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town. There’s no denying that Butterfly was an absolute smash”; and “deeply saddened by the news that Shifty Shellshock of Crazy Town has passed away. Butterfly is, ironically, one of my all-time favourite songs.”
