Michael Pfaff

Michael Pfaff (born May 17, 1980),^[2] also known as Tortilla Man,^[1] is an American musician, best known as one of the two current percussionists of heavy metal band Slipknot. He was also a member of the alternative rock band Dirty Little Rabbits as their keyboardist with then future Slipknot bandmate Shawn Crahan.

Michael Pfaff
Also known as	Tortilla Man^[1]
Born	(1980-05-17) May 17, 1980 (age 43)^[2]
Genres	Nu metal groove metal heavy metal alternative metal alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Percussion keyboards vocals
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Roadrunner The End
Member of	Slipknot
Formerly of	Dirty Little Rabbits

Career

Dirty Little Rabbits

Pfaff has been a lifelong friend of Slipknot bandmate Sid Wilson, who introduced him to Shawn Crahan in 2007. The two quickly hit it off where they formed a band together called Dirty Little Rabbits where he was the band's pianist.^[3] The band released two extended play's Breeding (2007) and Simon (2009) before releasing their debut and only eponymous album in 2010, before splitting up in 2012.^[4]

Slipknot

Following the dismissal of longtime Slipknot percussionist Chris Fehn in March 2019 due to him filing a lawsuit against the band, Pfaff was quickly contacted by Crahan while working on his day job about potentially replacing Fehn, which he accepted. He took over percussion duties, joining the band shortly before the filming of the music video for "Unsainted", the lead single off of their sixth studio album We Are Not Your Kind, released on 9 August 2019.^[5] Due to the appearance of his mask resembling a tortilla, Pfaff was quickly nicknamed "Tortilla Man" by fans and was known primarily by this title until the band finally revealed his identity in March 2022.^[6] Initially brought in as a touring member, Pfaff became an official full-time member of the band when they all went into the studio to record the seventh studio album The End, So Far.^[7] Pfaff sustained an ankle injury while performing on the band's 2022 European Tour.^[8]

Personal life

Pfaff attended New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and received a masters degree in music. He attended Lawrence University, in Appleton, Wisconsin, for his undergraduate degree, also in music. He also has a wife and they have one child together.^[3]

Discography

Slipknot

Main article: Slipknot discography

• The End, So Far (2022)

Dirty Little Rabbits

Main article: Dirty Little Rabbits discography

• Breeding (2007)
• Simon (2009)
• Dirty Little Rabbits (2010)

References

1. "Slipknot: See Security Mistake Tortilla Man for Fan and Try to Eject Him From Show". Revolvermag.com. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
2. "Mike Pfaff on Instagram: "Today is my internet wikipedia birthday….not sure how that happened….my actual birthday is May 17, 1980…….but I'm gonna enjoy today as well. Maggots Make Every Day Better #older #wiser #grayhairdownthere @ras_visual 📸"".
3. Sraban Neog, Anupal (March 18, 2022). "Who is Michael Pfaff? All about Tortilla Man as Slipknot reveals identity". Sportskeeda Pop. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
4. "Dirty Little Rabbits". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
5. Singh, Surej (March 17, 2022). "Slipknot finally reveal identity of newest member, Tortilla Man". NME. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
6. Krishnamurthy, Chaitra (March 17, 2022). "MEET MICHAEL PFAFF AS SLIPKNOT REVEALS TORTILLA MAN'S REAL IDENTITY". HITC. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
7. Fooks, Todd (July 29, 2022). "Slipknot Play 'The Dying Song (Time to Sing)' Live for First Time". Loudwire. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
8. "SLIPKNOT's MICHAEL PFAFF Injures Ankle, Vows To Keep Performing". Blabbermouth.net. July 25, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.