SLIPKNOT's official merchandise store is taking pre-orders for what it is calling the "Pfaff Neck Gaiter Face Cover". Due to be released on September 25, this neck gaiter features the mask design worn by SLIPKNOT's latest recruit, the percussionist nicknamed "Tortilla Man, and is made of elastic soft and breathable fabric. It is available in one size only.
Tortilla Man joined SLIPKNOT 15 months ago, when he was first featured in the video for comeback single "Unsainted". Since then, there has been much speculation about his name, with some SLIPKNOT fans getting quite obsessed with trying to work out the real identity of the band's latest recruit.
This past February, several photos were posted to the Postojna Cave Facebook account supporting the theory that SLIPKNOT's newest member is the multi-instrumentalist Michael Pfaff. Pfaff played keyboards with Crahan in the band DIRTY LITTLE RABBITS and is also a member of the Iowa-based duo THE SNACKS.
Pfaff's name was first brought up in relation to Tortilla Man in August 2019 when SLIPKNOT guitarist Jim Root gave an interview to "The Art And Span Show" in which he described the mystery man as "a world-class pianist" and "a great percussionist" who is "schooled in music."
Pfaff was apparently introduced to Crahan years ago by SLIPKNOT's resident DJ Sid Wilson, which may explain why Tortilla Man has such good onstage chemistry with Sid and Clown. In addition, Pfaff has a similar build and height as Tortilla Man, and Redditors have found that Pfaff's family members are following "#tortillaman" and other hashtags on social media related to the newest member of SLIPKNOT.
Crahan refused to reveal the identity of the band's mysterious new ninth member in an interview with Kerrang! magazine, saying it was "nobody's fucking business."
SLIPKNOT's previous percussionist, Chris Fehn, sued the band in March 2019, claiming he hadn't been properly compensated for his years of touring and recording with the group. Fehn, a member since 1998, was officially dismissed from the band last year.
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1, SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor said Tortilla Man had won the respect of bands and fans. "He's doing great and is a great dude," he said. "He's killing it, man."
Asked how anyone becomes an official member of SLIPKNOT, Taylor said: "First of all, you've got to wear the tortilla on your face. And the audience has to figure out who you are. With Tortilla Man, it's kinda cool. It's brought this whole new energy to everybody as well, so it's a lot of fun to watch him as well."
SLIPKNOT's sixth studio album, "We Are Not Your Kind", arrived in August 2019.
