Turn It Down! A look back at East Lansing’s anti-folk hero Wally Pleasant

For Lansing scenesters who came of age in the ’90s, the name Wally Pleasant no doubt brings up countless memories of acoustic guitars, brilliantly witty verses and earworm hooks.

The local troubadour, known for his barebones folk ballads, frequented several clubs and small venues across the area throughout the ’90s—and today still sporadically performs and drops new recordings.

Back in his ’90s heyday, while attending Michigan State University, his weekly shows at Cuppa Java usually drew between 30 and 60 people. He also spent time gigging at Castellani's Market, Hobie's on Trowbridge, WhereHouse Records, Erickson Kiva, the MSU Union, and a popular open-mic night at The Riv (this is back when East Lansing welcomed live music). From there, national exposure followed thanks to supportive college radio stations across the country, including the locally operated Impact 88.9-FM, which was the first to spin his earliest cassette demos. Subsequently, The Impact also championed his entire Miranda Records’ discography:

- “Songs About Stuff” (1992)
- “Welcome To Pleasantville” (1993)
- “Houses of the Holy Moly” (1994)
- “Wally World” (1996)
- “Hoedown” (2000)
- “Music For Nerds And Perverts” (2004)
- “Happy Hour” (2018)

After “Music for Nerds and Perverts,” you’ll notice a long gap in there, where he took a break from the studio and started a new professional career and family. He still lives in Mid-Michigan, and even played a City Pulse hosted concert in 2016 along with The Verve Pipe at Adado Riverfront Park. The event celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Verve Pipe’s landmark “Villains” LP, as well as Pleasant’s “Songs About Stuff.” Both acts played the classic albums in their entireties. His 2018 return to the LP-record format, “Happy Hour,” showed Pleasant as strong as ever, both poetically and musically, but this time with a classic country tinge.

“I probably spend just as much time writing as I ever did,” Pleasant said while he was cutting the record. “As for the country record, the late ’60s and ’70s is my favorite era of country music. They’re just well-produced and well-written songs.”

Looking back, the stack of CDs he’s issued veer from politically inspired ballads to witty ditties about life as a broke college student. His sonic narratives draw inspiration from his heroes, like Phil Ochs and Jonathan Richman, Jim Croce and the Violent Femmes, to only name a few. But his distinct sound, sometimes dubbed “anti-folk,” will forever stand on its own. His catalog marries comedy with legit, honest songwriting. It’s a hard line to tastefully manage, but somehow Pleasant tap dances on that delicate crossing.

Since the Detroit-born songwriter debuted some 30 years ago, he has penned a string of often relatable fan favorites, like “Denny’s at 4 a.m.,” “Small Time Drug Dealer,” “Stupid Day Job,” “I Hate Cops,” “I Was a Teenage Republican” and “Dead Rock ’n Roll Stars,” to only name a few. His 1993 track “The Day Ted Nugent Killed All the Animals” earned him facetime with Nugent, aka the Motor City Madman, himself.

“I was on Nugent’s radio show,” Pleasant said back in 2016. “We played a couple songs together. He was cool about the whole thing. Ted said it would take a day and a half to kill all the animals.”

Over the years, his grassroots fanbase grew — and so did his mileage. He performed as far away as the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. Between 1992 and 2000, he embarked on countless tours that kept him on the road six months each year. The hard work paid off. His albums performed well on CMJ’s college radio charts and even scored airtime and an in-studio appearance on the legendary “Dr. Demento” radio program. His fourth LP, “Wally World,” climbed to No. 28 on CMJ’s weekly Top 150 chart.

Looking back, Pleasant said in 2016 he only would’ve changed one thing: delegate the promo work end of his career.

“I was pretty focused on CD sales and chart positions and promotion,” he admitted. “There could've been more focus on the non-business aspects. I probably would’ve had more fun.”

Today, he’s back at it. In between his family duties, he’s writing and recording fresh material. Last month he laid down a new track for an upcoming Lansing-based covers comp and has other projects in the works, as well. Also, for those in need of an original song for a special occasion, like an anniversary, birthday or retirement, message him on Facebook for a quote — he will pen you your very own Pleasant tune.

Follow Wally Pleasant at facebook.com/WallyPleasant1 and check local record stores for his latest album, “Happy Hour.”