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Crazy Town Information
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'Crazy Town' (aka. 'CXT') were a rapcore band formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles in the fall of 1995 by rappers/producers; Boston born "Shifty Shellshock" (aka. Seth Brooks Binzer) and Brooklyn born "Epic Mazur" (aka. Bret Mazur) who both moved to L.A. at very young ages.
Binzer and Mazur discovered Hip Hop at a young age. Binzer started writing rhymes when he was 12, and was a fan of Punk Rock. Mazur began cutting and sampling records at High School. The two met at a studio in Hollywood sometime in 1995, forming a group originally called the Brimstone Sluggers.
Incorporating other band members in 1999, to add elements of punk & metal to their sound, Crazy Town emerged during a wave of alternative rock bands heavily influenced by Hip Hop. Notable contemporary bands include Papa Roach and P.O.D..
The Gift Of Game
Their debut album, The Gift of Game, was released in 1999 and became a multi-platinum seller. The third single to be released from the album, "Butterfly" became one of the biggest selling singles of the year worldwide, reaching #1 in the US Hot 100 for two weeks in 2001. Butterfly sampled the Red Hot Chili Peppers track, "Pretty Little Ditty". The song was an instant favourite amongst TRL audiences, and received massive airplay on MTV, helping their debut album "The Gift of Game" to achieve multi-platinum status, and sales of more than 2.5 million copies. Later in 2001, the band performed on MTV's spring break, and headlined the main stage at the Ozzfest, alongside Linkin Park, Papa Roach, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot & Disturbed. The band was not popular with the mostly "metal" crowd, which can be attributed to the mainstream success achieved by "Butterfly".
Changes to the line-up included "Squirrel" (aka. Kraig Tyler) replacing Rust Epique on guitar, and former Shuvel drummer Kyle Hollinger taking over the over the sticks from JBJ. Binzer remained the focal point of the group, becoming known for his abundance of tattoos and piercings, and his good looks. Binzer is alleged to have said "I'm a cross between Biggie Smalls, Sid Vicious and Kurt Cobain."
The follow-up single, "Revolving Door" did not receive the same level of achievement. The major success of Butterfly and relative lack of success of any other single makes them candidates to be classified as one hit wonders.
Darkhorse
Crazy Town's sophomore effort Darkhorse, had a rockier feel. The songs were very different from the Gift of Game, with greater focus on feelings and emotion. The album was released many rapcore fusion bands were losing popularity and a backlash against the genre was in full swing. With no real success from the album, the band broke up shortly after its release.
Life after
Former frontman Shifty, (who dropped Shellshock from his alias) released a pop/rock solo album in 2004 called Happy Love Sick. Shifty was also featured on "Starry Eyed Surprise" by Paul Oakenfold which was a minor hit in the UK.
Former lead guitarist Rust Epique died in March, 2004, just weeks before the release of his hard rock side project, pre)Thing.
A New Start?
In a recent interview, Shifty has noted that they are working on a new album for 2006, and a single should be out by February.
Personnel
*Shifty Shellshock (aka. Seth Brooks Binzer) - vocals
*Epic Mazur (aka. Bret Mazur) - vocals
*Kraig "Squirrel" Tyler - guitar
*Antonio Lorenzo Valli (aka. Trouble) - guitar
*Doug "Faydoe" Miller - bass
*JBJ (aka. James Bradley Jnr.) - drums (replaced by Kyle Hollinger)
*DJ AM (aka. Adam Goldstein) - Turntables
Discography
Albums
*The Gift of Game (1999) #9 US - Platinum+, #15 UK
*Darkhorse (2002)
Singles
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'From The Gift of Game:'
*2000 "Butterfly" #1 US, #3 UK (2001 release)
*2001 "Revolving Door" #23 UK
'From Darkhorse:'
*2002 "Drowning" #50 UK
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