Protopunker Ginn does a rare tour

Whenever Greg Ginn tours it's notable, because the punk rock icon hits the road about as often as Halley's comet can be witnessed by the human eye.

Well, it just seems that long. Ginn hasn't zipped across the country as a performer in 14 years, which is an eternity in rock.

"I think having a band touring can detract from the music," Ginn says, calling from his Taylor, Texas, home. "But it's about time I get back out there."

Ginn, best known as the leader and primary songwriter of seminal punk rockers Black Flag and owner of the independent label SST Records, is doing double duty. He's out with two of his bands, Jambang and the Taylor Texas Corrugators. Each group, which will perform Wednesday at the Pour House Music Hall, is supporting an album.

The former's release, "Connecting," is an electronic dance disc, which will be synced up to a video featuring abstract images at the Pour House.

The latter is supporting "Goof Off Experts & the Taylor Texas Corrugators," which is an avant jazzy rocking album filled with upbeat songs, that includes some nice jams. Only two of the 10 tracks check in under five minutes.

"I like throwing a lot of different stuff to the audience," Ginn says. "Hopefully it'll be entertaining."

Even though Black Flag has been inactive -- save a pair of benefit shows in Los Angeles five years ago -- rumors persist that the legendary band will reunite. That's not so, according to Ginn.

"I'm not one for nostalgia," Ginn says. "The only reason we did those two shows in L.A. was for my cat shelter [in Long Beach, Calif.]. The group I assembled wasn't designed for the long term. But we had a good time at the shows."

Classic SST albums by Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and Bad Brains never went out of print.

"The great albums from those bands from the '80s are still available," Ginn says. "I'm proud of all of the groups that have been on SST."

Ginn should pat himself on the back since the label was loaded with some of arguably the best bands of the '80s, such as Husker Du, the Minutemen and the Meat Puppets. "We certainly had some amazing music come out of this label," Ginn says. "It's been 30 years or so since it formed and it's still here. It's amazing."

When Ginn isn't making music or overseeing SST, he focuses on his cat shelters in Long Beach and Taylor, which are dubbed "Cats Having Fun."

"I just love cats," Ginn says. "They're wonderful living creatures. I'm proud and happy to say that we've helped hundreds get adopted. We give shelter to the unadoptable ones, who can't find a home because of medical reasons or because they're afraid of people. This is something that's very important to me."

But Ginn is stepping away from his shelter to focus on his eight-week tour.

"I'm looking forward to this roadwork," Ginn says. "I've only played two shows here in Texas so far. It'll be interesting to see what happens on the road. It's been a while. I'm not against going on the road.

"I've just had so many other things to deal with over the years, but I think this tour is going to be good for me."