Ep547: Greg Ginn - Black Flag, SST Records

Ep547: Greg Ginn - Black Flag, SST Records

Author: The Vinyl Guide April 27, 2026 Duration: 1:07:13

In a rare interview, Greg Ginn opens up about the latest Black Flag lineup, the SST catalogue, the possibility of long-overdue reissues and the legacy of one of punk's most beloved bands.

Tickets for Black Flag's 2026 Australian Tour

Topics Include:

  • Greg Ginn is based in Texas but currently in Long Beach after a tour.
  • Black Flag is heading to Hong Kong and then Australia next.
  • This will be Black Flag's third tour of Australia.
  • Rumors of new recordings remain unconfirmed — Ginn stays tight-lipped.
  • The current lineup has been together for about a year.
  • Band plays nearly two hours a night across two full sets.
  • Proximity of bandmates in Texas keeps the band constantly tight.
  • Ginn discovered punk through the Stooges, MC5, and New York bands.
  • Television, Ramones, Blondie, and The Damned were early major influences.
  • Ginn identifies more with open, varied 70s punk than 80s hardcore.
  • He never planned to be in a band — guitar was a personal outlet.
  • Finding like-minded people in the mid-70s was genuinely rare and meaningful.
  • Ginn started a business at 12 selling ham radio equipment he built.
  • He published his own amateur radio magazine as a teenager.
  • Black Flag's first EP was recorded as a demo, not a label release.
  • Nobody wanted to sign them, so starting SST was a reluctant default.
  • Ginn has applied the same DIY experimentation to an organic fertilizer brand.
  • He gets bored easily and improvisation is central to keeping music alive.
  • Ginn stays connected to a song's emotional meaning, not just its notes.
  • Seven band members once lived in a single room during Black Flag's peak.
  • Lineup changes were mostly practical — commitment and lifestyle demands were extreme.
  • Ginn isn't interested in nostalgia-driven reunions; best music matters most now.
  • Fans frequently thank him personally for helping them through difficult life periods.
  • He avoids fiction, movies, and video games — prefers reality and constant learning.
  • SST vaults are mostly bare — nearly everything recorded was officially released.
  • Ginn is open to remastering but skeptical of padding albums with leftover cuts.
  • He notes Dead Kennedys recently remixed Fresh Fruit — and wants to hear it.
  • Ginn doesn't own a working turntable; portability matters more to him than format.
  • SST catalog reissues — including Stains, Dicks, Overkill — are a genuine possibility.
  • Ginn believes Black Flag's songs remain timeless, attracting both parents and their kids.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Picts by Edward Colver


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
ep497: mclusky is still here with andrew falkous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:50
andrew "falco" falkous discusses the reformation of his band mclusky after a nearly 20-year hiatus, their upcoming album on ipecac recordings, the rare catalogue of vinyl releases and more! Topics Include: falco confirms…
Ep496: The Adjacent Possible w/ Damian Kulash of OK Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
Damian Kulash of OK Go discusses his evolution from punk music fan, working with Dischord records, and creating boundary-pushing music, vinyl packaging and viral videos Topics Include: New album "And The Adjacent Possibl…
Ep495: Private Function Still On Top w/ Chris Penney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
Private Function frontman and instigator Chris Penney discusses the rare, collectable and controversial vinyl art of the band and reveals some details of their new album. Topics Include: Chris Penney injured himself at a…
Ep493: 20 Trips of Brown Acid w/ Daniel, Lance and Lenny [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:37
Nuggets curator Lenny Kaye joins Brown Acid creators Lance Barresi and Daniel Hall to celebrate their 20th volume of rescuing forgotten proto-metal singles from the early 70s, discuss rare vinyl discoveries, and preservi…
Ep492: Zev Feldman Returns! RSD Picks with The Jazz Detective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:55
Renowned archivist & record producer Zev Feldman, "The Jazz Detective", returns to discusses the Record Store Day 2025 releases of lost jazz recordings from Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Mingus, Bill Evans, Patsy Cline & more…
Al Barile (1962-2025) - The Vinyl Guide Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
Replay of our 2024 interview with hardore legend Al Barile of SSD and X-Claim! Records. Photos by Alison Braun ------- Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s.…
Ep491: Aussie Legend Tex Perkins - The Cruel Sea, The Beasts & Beyond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
Australian icon Tex Perkins takes us through his legendary career, from The Cruel Sea & The Beasts recent works, to wild ARIA award nights, his atrocious habits with vinyl records, reissuing his works on vinyl and lots m…
Ep490: Saving Vinyl - Rescuing Australia's Last Record Press [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:58
Despite having no manufacturing experience, Nick Phillips (The Breadmakers, Corduroy Records) impulsively bought Australia's last vinyl pressing equipment, not only saving it from the scrap heap, but creating an Australi…
Ep489: Wolfgang Flür (ex Kraftwerk) & Peter Duggal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
Wolfgang Flür, formerly of Kraftwerk, and musical collaborator Peter Duggal, discuss musical journeys, memories from the Kraftwerk years, collaborating with members of Daft Punk and Joy Division for the new LP "Times" an…