KISS' Gene Simmons spoke with Steve LadurantayeTheglobeandmail.com recently about a number of topics. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Theglobeandmail.com: What motivated you to launch a record label in Canada?

"How come Canadians are so suspicious of anyone who wants to come here and launch something? A Canadian might turn to another one and say, 'We don't need him.' Actually, you do. You need the best of the best of the best to compete on the world stage. The next band that comes out of Canada isn't going to be competing against the BARENAKED LADIES. They're competing against U2, LED ZEPPELIN, KISS and whoever else has made it on the world stage. Americans have no problem taking your brightest stars and evolving them and caring for them, and paying them more and better than you do. So why wouldn't you welcome anyone from the outside who wants to try something big?"

Theglobeandmail.com: Didn't you declare once that record labels were dead?

"They are dead. Everything has to evolve. Bands are trying to figure out how to do exclusive deals with Wal-Mart and Best Buy and make something available only there. But—and Kiss understood this 35 years ago - it's not just about records. You've got to have the complete package: the image, the positioning, the vibe, the media connection. It's not just your music—it's who's singing it. Because you can take the same song and have somebody else record it, not everybody's going to have a hit with it. That also means TV and movies, and getting your songs out there. THE WHO have had their biggest success ever by being on CSI. And LED ZEPPELIN got more bang for buck on one song by putting 'Rock n' Roll' on an Escalade commercial. Now, the purist will have a problem with that. That's okay. Remember, they're still living in mom's basement, and they are 35 years old."

Theglobeandmail.com: You're a pretty rich guy—what's your take on the American economy?

"It's in a whirl. This is a great opportunity for you to stop spending stupid money, stop smoking, stop drinking, stop ruining your health and paying for the privilege, take all that money, all the stupid money, and buy. But don't buy stupid stuff. Buy real estate. Buy important things. It's the best time - the price is low."

Read the entire Q&A; at this location.