Billboard.biz has issued the following report from Robert Thompson:

Sixteen months after announcing the reformation of Simmons Records in partnership with Universal Music Canada, KISS bassist GENE SIMMONS has finally inked a deal, signing Toronto rock band THE ENVY.

The signing is a joint venture with Montreal-based Remedy Music, a division of Crystal Math Management, the company that has the likes of METRIC and THE MIDWAY STATE on its roster.

“We have embarked upon fulfilling our mandate - to discover new and exciting Canadian talent and to take them around the world,” Simmons said in a statement.

The Envy, who formed in early 2009, are presently recording with JUNO award-winning producer Gavin Brown (BILLY TALENT, Metric, THREE DAYS GRACE) as well as the songwriter/producer Desmond Child (KATY PERRY, AEROSMITH, BON JOVIE, TOKIO HOTEL) for their Simmons/UMC debut release.

No release date was announced. Last year, the band toured across Canada with the likes of MARIANAS TRENCH, The Midway State and STEREOS.

Further updates to follow.