There are few media outlets Henry Rollins has yet to tap. He has slowly weaved his way into almost all forms of mass communication today, including books, movies, music and live performances. Despite his prolific and sprawling career, he doesn’t think he’s a Renaissance man.

Rollins sees himself as a curious person, out to change the world as much as he can as an individual. After leaving his position as the frontman for post-punk troubador Black Flag in 1986, he went on to form his pseudo-solo project, Rollins Band. He has also recorded several spoken word albums, such as “Think Tank” and “Sweatbox,” and is a successful author, penning titles like “Solipsist” and “Black Coffee Blues.”

Rollins organized a benefit record, “Rise Above,” for the West Memphis Three, a group of men who were convicted of the 1993 killings of three young boys in West Memphis, Ark. Currently, he can be found touring the country in support of his latest book, “Broken Summers,” a travelogue and insight into the process of recording “Rise Above.”

On the outside, Rollins is a tough punk rocker. Inside his head, however, is a compassionate, amusing man who has lived a life he says he never expected to live.

He will return to Ames for his comedic and thought-provoking performance, “An Evening of Spoken Word,” at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Stephens Auditorium.

Rollins took time from his touring schedule to talk to the Daily about his contempt for the media, his dislike of President Bush and Saddam Hussein and his aspiring career in acting.