Scum of the Earth is an American industrial metal band.
The band was formed in 2003 by musicians associated with Rob Zombie, who temporarily set aside his music career to focus on writing and directing movies.
Scum of the Earth had an initial lineup of Mike Riggs (lead vocalist, guitarist), brothers Mike (guitarist) and John Tempesta (drummer), as well as Clay Campbell (bassist).
The band's name comes from a 1978 episode of the television series WKRP in Cincinnati.
The name also borrows from the Rob Zombie single "Scum of the Earth" that was originally featured in the soundtrack to the 2000 action film Mission: Impossible II and Zombie's 2001 album The Sinister Urge.