CHEAP TRICK's ROBIN ZANDER Doesn't Agree With PAUL STANLEY About Releasing New Music: 'We Make Records For Ourselves'

In a new interview with "The Jeremy White Podcast", CHEAP TRICK singer Robin Zander was asked to weigh on a recent comment made by KISS frontman Paul Stanley about how "there isn't a real reward" in classic rock bands making new music, with fans preferring to hear the hits.

Zander said: "I think the difference is that we make records for ourselves, not necessarily for fans and stuff. We've always just made records for ourselves. I think if we stopped making records and stopped writing songs, we'd probably quit. That's the point; that's the way we look at it. Paul, he'd just soon rest on his laurels and go out there and play and cash in. But I just don't feel that way — that's all."

Robin's latest comments echo those he made last November when he told AXS TV's "At Home And Social With": "We've made a lot of records, and we just continue making records — for ourselves mostly, but also for our immediate fans that still cling to us. It's something, I think, that is our lifeblood; it keeps us going… And I believe that we still make quality records. If we didn't, we probably wouldn't do it anymore."

Last month, Stanley told USA Today that he doesn't really see a "reason" for KISS to make any new music. "For the most part, when classic bands put out new albums, they're looked at and listened to and thrown away because they don't have the gravitas, they don't have the age that comes with something being a time capsule or being attached to a certain period of your life," he said. "I'm not alone in that. When you see any classic bands on TV or if there's a concert video, turn off the sound and I'll tell you every time they're playing a new song because the audience sits down.

"So it's odd to me that people always want you to do a new album, but then they go, 'That's great. Now play your hits.' So honestly, at this point, there isn't a real reward in it. There's much more of a reward in changing lanes — I'm still going forward. But in terms of recording more KISS material, I kind of go, 'Why?' I thought 'Modern Day Delilah' or 'Hell Or Hallelujah' were as good as anything I've written and as good as anything we recorded, but understandably, it's like new wine. It just hasn't aged. So I'd rather not try to roll a stone up the hill."

CHEAP TRICK will release its 20th studio album, "In Another World", on April 9 via BMG.

The band's current lineup includes three of its original members: Zander, guitarist Rick Nielsen and bassist Tom Petersson. Drummer Bun E. Carlos stopped touring with the band in 2010 and was replaced by Nielsen's son Daxx.

Founded in 1974, CHEAP TRICK are an indisputable American institution, beloved around the globe for their instantly identifiable, hugely influential, brand of pop rock 'n' roll. The band are true pioneers with an unparalleled streak of certifiably classic tunes, from "He's A Whore", "California Man" and "Dream Police" to "Surrender", "I Want You To Want Me" and the worldwide #1 hit single "The Flame".

CHEAP TRICK's nearly five-decade career has earned them more than 40 international gold and platinum certifications, myriad awards and industry honors, featured appearances on over 20 movie soundtracks, and total record sales well in excess of 20 million.