Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan recently launched a new podcast titled “The Magnificent Others.” Among the many legendary musicians Corgan has already interviewed for upcoming episodes, KISS bassist Gene Simmons had the honor of appearing on “The Magnificent Others” debut.

Over the years, Simmons has been very vocal about his belief that rock music is dead.

While speaking to NME in a new interview about his podcast, Corgan was asked about Simmons and whether he agrees with the rocker’s claim about the genre.

“No, I don’t at all,” Corgan replied. “I’ve said similar silly things in the past. It sounds like a cool headline. I mean, Lenny Kravitz wrote a song ‘Rock Is Dead’. I was on Howard Stern around ‘98 saying rock is dead and Gene said it too.”

“I don’t think it’s real, because what happens and what gets overlooked is that the spirit of rock’n’roll is always going to be what kids decide to do in a sort of form of hatred or disgust with what they’re seeing,” he continued.

“For example, we have had 10-plus years now of just complete pop overload. I know that right now all over the world, there are kids figuring out ways to voice what they’re feeling against this pop hegemonic thing that just won’t stop. I know it’s there. I see it and I feel it.”

Corgan then mentioned a band that he feels keeps the spirit of rock alive.

“We played all summer with The Linda Lindas. They’re all heart and spirit and the music’s great. I’m sorry, I don’t know how you listen to that and think that those ‘kids’ don’t have anything to say,” he said.

“The reaction of the crowds to them, and certainly the respect that they’ve earned from the bands on the tour shows that they’re on to something. Here’s the thing: I don’t need to understand it. It’s not for me, or even Gene, to understand. It’s really for the next generation of kids to feel like someone is speaking for them.”