Biography:
The strong White Zombie/Rob Zombie influence that permeates Scum of the Earth`s material is no coincidence; the alternative metal outfit is led by Riggs, an in-your-face singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer who is best known for the six years he spent in Rob Zombie`s employ. Riggs joined forces with Rob Zombie in the `90s and stayed with him into the early 2000s, eventually leaving in 2004 (when Rob Zombie was largely focusing on films rather than music) to start a project of his own. Named after a song from Rob Zombie`s Sinister Urge, Scum of the Earth favors the sort of rhythmic, industrial-influenced, mildly funky, hip-hop-minded alternative metal that Riggs honed during the White Zombie days. Further similarities to Rob Zombie`s output include a decadent, over-the-top sense of fun, a dark sense of humor, and a fascination with horror films, the Occult, B-movies, and sleaze. But in contrast to such groups as Slayer -- who take their death metal outlook quite seriously -- Scum of the Earth`s lyrics are very tongue-in-cheek.
In addition to the aforementioned Rob Zombie influence, Scum of the Earth`s forceful approach also owes something to Ministry, KMFDM, the seminal Alice Cooper, and Powerman 5000. Two of Riggs` collaborators in Scum of the Earth have played with Powerman: drummer Adrian Ost, (aka Seven), and guitarist Mike Tempesta (who is the brother of Rob Zombie drummer John Tempesta). In October 2004, Scum of the Earth`s debut album, Blah...Blah...Blah...Love Songs for the New Millennium, was released by Eclipse Records; the infectious "Get Your Dead On" became the album`s first single. The album`s liner notes cite four memebers of Scum of the Earth -- Riggs (who co-produced the album with Ben Burkhardt), Mike Tempesta, Adrian "Seven" Ost, and bassist Clay Campbell -- while musical guests include John Tempesta and System of a Down`s John Dolmayan. A new lineup was assembled for Scum of the Earth`s sophomore effort, Sleaze Freak, which appeared in October 2007.
