Scum of the Earth

Riggs leads the alternative metal outfit Scum of the Earth, whose material carries an unmistakable imprint of White Zombie and Rob Zombie traceable to his own background as an in-your-face singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. He entered Rob Zombie’s circle in the 1990s, remained through the early 2000s, and departed in 2004—precisely when Rob Zombie had turned his main energies toward films—to establish an independent project. The group takes its name from a song on Rob Zombie’s Sinister Urge, and it favors the rhythmic, industrial-influenced, mildly funky, hip-hop-minded alternative metal Riggs had developed during the White Zombie period. Shared traits with Rob Zombie’s work encompass a decadent, over-the-top sense of fun, a dark sense of humor, and a preoccupation with horror films, the Occult, B-movies, and sleaze. In contrast to Slayer’s serious death metal stance, Scum of the Earth’s lyrics remain very tongue-in-cheek.

Beyond the Rob Zombie connection, the band’s forceful style also reflects the impact of Ministry, KMFDM, the seminal Alice Cooper, and Powerman 5000. Two of Riggs’ Scum of the Earth colleagues, drummer Adrian Ost (aka Seven) and guitarist Mike Tempesta (brother of Rob Zombie drummer John Tempesta), had previously worked with Powerman 5000. Eclipse Records released the debut album Blah...Blah...Blah...Love Songs for the New Millennium in October 2004, with the infectious “Get Your Dead On” serving as its first single. The liner notes list four members—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 fresh lineup recorded the second album, Sleaze Freak, issued in October 2007.