Bassist Juan Croucier is a well-known figure on the rock music scene, and has been since the Seventies. He has performed and recorded with countless groups, doing everything from high school parties with garage bands to big arenas with major acts. His career has stretched from 1973 until now, as he fires up his latest project.
AAM: Juan, you have perfomed with Dokken, RATT and Liquid Sunday, and now AAM has learned of your newest effort, The Juan Croucier Band. Who may we expect to see standing alongside you?
Juan: The band consists of myself on Bass and Lead Vocals, John Medina on Drums and Carlos Cavazo on Guitar. I really enjoy playing with John and Carlos, they are not only excellent musicians but we are also very good friends. We intend to begin playing live shows within the next month or two.
Will you be performing new material, or will this new project be Ratt, Dokken and songs from the other members' former bands?
Juan: The band is performing original songs as well as hit songs from Ratt’s catalog. In fact, we’re playing about half of each at the moment. This line up is playing more Ratt songs than previous incarnations of the band. We may also do a Quiet Riot song or two, depending on what Carlos decides.
Any plans for a new album yet?
Juan: We are planning on recording a song or two in the near future. Just to get a feel for how things are going to work in the recording studio. Right now, we are focused on rehearsing for live performances. But I’m sure we’ll get into the studio before too long. Eventually, we’ll record a record. I can only speak for myself, but it’s my intention to play in this band for the foreseeable future.
Your musical career has spanned over two decades. You certainly have seen the music scene go through changes. What in your opinion were some good changes, and bad?
Juan: Actually four decades, but who is counting! In the mid-Seventies it seemed almost impossible for a hard rock band to get a record contract out of Los Angeles/Hollywood. 
There was no shortage of talented bands throughout the area, it’s just that few record companies wanted to take a chance. Getting a record deal seemed almost impossible. Then Van Halen got a deal with Warner Brothers. That gave a lot of local bands a reason to hope. What came after that was almost a record company signing frenzy. Later, in the early Eighties, I believe MTV was very good for the music world. It allowed fans to see what had been going on in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
On the bad side of things, in the late Eighties, record company greed, complicity, lack of insight and foresight, caused a redundancy of bands. It got boring and repetitive. That brought a backlash against hard rock bands. That consequently opened the door to the Grunge movement.
In the last eight to ten years, downloading has eaten away at record sales. Now, iPods have helped to cause the decimation of record sales. I’ll tell you the truth, “recording is hard work.” To have someone steal your work, just because they can, is wrong and is no different than stealing anything else. It really says a lot about human character and what people will do, if they can get away with it. But what most people don’t understand is that stealing music simply hurts the artist and especially up-and-coming bands. One more thing, anyone that says, “Bands make their money touring, not selling records,” is only saying that because they have never sold any records themselves.
Interviewing so many artist/groups I often hear them say, LA/Hollywood is the toughest crowd to play. They say there is no better feeling than performing ANYWHERE else than here. The reason, they say, is the vibe and the appreciation for the music from your fans, it's an unbelievable feeling! Do you agree? And why is that?
Juan: Playing in LA/Hollywood is really the same as playing anywhere else. I think it’s natural for bands to have higher expectations from their hometown fans. In a sense the LA/Hollywood area is unique in that regard because so many successful bands have come from this area. Conversely, this is such a big town with so much to do that you have the “everything all the time” syndrome and that can work against you so, it cuts both ways. Not to say that fans in LA are not great, because they are but it’s just that they seem more critical and realistic about your performance. Unlike other smaller towns where it’s pretty special when your favorite band comes around and even if they’re not in tip top form, you’re just glad they made it out your way and you got a chance to see them.
Where was your favorite place to have performed?
Juan: LA/Hollywood! Honestly, I really don’t have a favorite place to play. There are so many cool places to play throughout the USA and abroad that I can’t just pick one place. Of course, the LA Forum was excellent and Madison Square Garden was very special too. The Dome in Japan and festivals in Europe were great as well. For me the truth is every gig can be a great gig, it’s about what you make of it!
And who did you enjoy sharing the stage with the most?
Juan: If you are talking about bands that I’ve played with over the years it would be bands like Cheap Trick, ZZ Top, Bon Jovi, Ozzy, Metallica, Blue Oyster Cult, Billy Squire and a lot of others.
With all the record labels merging, music stores closing, even music magazines folding these days, do you think any artist/group thinking about a career in music should maybe re-think his/hers plans?
Juan: I think if someone really loves what they’re doing, they should pursue their dreams. Life without aspirations and dreams is not good for the soul.
I often tell Indie bands to "stop waiting for the bus to pull up" -- those days are gone. If you really want to make a career in music, you have to really work at it. Other than the Internet, emails,downloads, and Myspace, what advice can you offer them?
Juan: Be your own worst critic! Try to be un-biased and honest about where you really stand in the big picture. A performer, an actor, a painter, a writer or a musician has to be realistic about where he or she really stands in comparison to those that are where they want to get to. Have time sensitive goals and if you don’t meet them, have a back up plan. I usually like to recommend a collage degree in a lucrative field. Skydivers, never jump without at least two parachutes strapped on, just in case one doesn’t work!
Juan, it has been a pleasure, and AAM looks forward to hearing your new project, The Juan Croucier Band. What is the best way our readers can learn more about what you're up to. Do you have a website?
Juan: The best way to get information on the band is to visit our website: www.juancroucier.com or www.myspace.com/juancroucier. Thanks, we’ll hopefully be seeing you on the road soon!
