It's hard not to be skeptical whenever a band announces it's on its last tour. How many times have the Eagles been on a swan-song jaunt? How many extra legs did Cher add to her farewell run? No wonder Phil Collins effectively joked that he was on his "First Final Farewell" tour in 2005. To quote Ministry leader Al Jourgensen, it's "lies," as he screamed throughout his George H.W. Bush bashing anthem "N.W.O." when it comes to most acts claiming they're finished. But do we believe Jourgensen when he claims that his group's C-U-LaTour, which stops Tuesday at the Agora, is the longtime nihilistic rocker's last excursion under the Ministry moniker. Ministry guitarist Sin Quirin, who co-wrote four of the album's 11 tracks on Ministry's "final" album, The Last Sucker, claims Jourgensen is through with Ministry and is looking forward to life with the Revolting Cocks. - Ed Condran

Is it really over for Ministry after this tour or is it just a cleverly titled jaunt?

Yes, this is definitely the last tour. Al has been talking about this for the last two years. He's ready to end Ministry. He believes he has said all that he can say as Ministry. How much more can a guy say?

So let me connect the "goddamn dots." You're saying that Ministry will never be back.

Not according to Al.

You're "lying through your teeth."

No I'm not.

I'm sorry, I'll stop quoting memorable Ministry lyrics. It's been 16 years since Ministry was at its peak. Wasn't the group overdue to call it a day?

It's impossible for a band to stay at that certain level when they peak. What band has been able to stay at that level?

Back then Al could do no wrong. "Just One Fix" and "Jesus Built My Hot Rod" are two of the best songs he ever wrote.

Those songs hold up very well. Those songs are classics.

They were also collaborations, the former with William Burroughs and the latter with Gibby Haynes. You would never think Al would be a collaborative guy, but he obviously is. What's he like to work with?

He's great. He's very smart. He's a great listener. It's an experience. I can't say enough good things about Al.

How do you pick a set list for the final tour since the Ministry canon is huge?

Fortunately, that's Al's terrain. All I can say is that we're playing a lot of new and old stuff. Fans, particularly diehards, won't be disappointed.

What are your favorite Ministry songs to do?

"Let's Go" and "Worthless Thieves." To me, those songs are incredible but there are so many incredible Ministry songs. I could make a very long list.

You've only been with the band the last few years. What have you learned from Al?

I learned a lot of production skills and quite a bit about songwriting. I think I've added some things as well.

What did you contribute to The Last Sucker?

Al loves to go extremely fast. What I brought to the table were grooves. I wanted to bring more than speed-metal riffs. This band is great at being incredibly fast but there's more to Ministry than that.

The band has really been laying into Dubya, especially on The Last Sucker.

The guy has screwed up this country beyond belief. Someone has to say something about him. You just can't let him get away with it. Al has messed with him. I wish more people would mess with him.

You just finished off a Revolting Cocks album with Al. Does it sound more like No Devotion or Cock and Loaded?

It's more No Devotion. It's called Sexo Olympico and it's very dance. It's electronic. It'll be out around September and we'll tour behind it. Just because Ministry will be over doesn't mean Al and I have to stop. I hope I'll be working with Al for many, many years.

Maybe it's fitting that Ministry is ending since it doesn't sound contemporary.

But I'm not that inspired by current stuff. I find myself listening to Kiss, the Allman Brothers Band and Queen more than any new stuff. And I'll take Ministry over any of the new bands. You can have those bands. Ministry influenced so many bands.

I can't imagine Nine Inch Nails without Ministry.

Exactly. A lot of bands are indebted to Ministry.

Ministry: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, Agora, 5001 Prospect Ave., 216.881.2221. Tickets: $30.