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American singer and entertainer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Geier, better known as his Pagliacci-inspired clown alter ego Puddles Pity Party, is an American singer and entertainer based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.[1][2] Geier now performs almost exclusively as Puddles, and he also refers to Puddles in third person when speaking about the character.[when?]
Mike Geier | |
|---|---|
Geier performing as Puddles in 2014 | |
| Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Other names | Puddles Pity Party (performer) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, performance artist |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Cabaret |
| Instrument(s) | Voice, piano |
| Website | puddlespityparty |
Geier was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, the fifth of seven children of "Big Oz" and Peg Geier.[3] He says that he "grew up in a houseful of giants", with his two brothers and four sisters all growing to at least 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) in height. Geier is 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) tall. He grew up in Richmond, Virginia.[3]
In 1998, Geier decided to found a clown-themed band with several other Atlanta-based musicians. Having named himself Puddles in the band, this collaborative project eventually broke up, but laid the foundation for his solo project Puddles Pity Party. Puddles' original appearance was mostly non specific, but eventually developed into adorning a whiteface clown costume.[4] Geier refers to Puddles in third person while speaking about the character, and will also refer to himself as Mike in third person while performing as Puddles. Like Geier himself, Puddles has a baritone singing voice, and sings mostly covers of songs. Puddles has a depressed persona and refrains from speaking on stage or giving interviews.[5][6][7] His shows include a mix of silent prop comedy, mime, and audience participation with songs interplayed throughout creating a narrative structure.[8] Puddles Pity Party's first performance as an independent act was an experiment for Aqua Teen Hunger Force's 2010 tour. Initially skeptical if his singing clown character would be well-received, Geier stated that his wife convinced him to continue with the act after his premiere performance garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience.[9]
In 2011, Geier appeared regularly at the Manderley Bar in New York's immersive theater show Sleep No More. In 2012, he moved to Seattle to appear in a European-style vaudevillian cabaret, Teatro ZinZanni. In 2013, he opened for Eels during their U.S. and European tour.[10]
Since 2014, Geier has toured the world, playing concerts in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, and Australia.[11]
In 2017, Geier, as Puddles, participated in season 12 of the reality series America's Got Talent.[2] He advanced to the quarterfinals at the Dolby Theatre, where he performed his version of "Royals" and received an "X" from Simon Cowell. He was ultimately eliminated the following night.[12] In October 2017 Geier, as Puddles, made an appearance in a Cartoon Network ad promoting new episodes of Teen Titans Go! and OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes.[13] Geier previously collaborated with Cartoon Network's Sunday Pants series writing music for the show as well as playing the Slacks' band leader in the live action segments.[14]
In January 2019 Geier, as Puddles, began a headline act residency at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada.[15]
In 2022, Geier, as Puddles, made a guest appearance on the season 4 season finale of The Conners.[16]
In April 2024, he performed with A Perfect Circle, singing the song "The Hollow," as part of Maynard James Keenan's Sessanta tour.[citation needed]
In August 2024, Puddles performed Dio's "Holy Diver" with Primus at shows in Big Flats, New York, Saratoga Springs, New York, Portland, Maine, Richmond, Virginia, and Birmingham, Alabama.[citation needed]
In September 2024, it was announced that Puddles would be touring, as a special guest, with "Weird Al" Yankovic on his "Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour".[17]
Music composed and performed by Geier has appeared in television shows including iCarly and Victorious.[25][26] In 2022, Geier's cover of blink-182's "All the Small Things" was featured on the John Lewis Christmas TV commercial in the United Kingdom.[27][28]
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