He's not quite a comedian or a folk singer - but man is he funny with that acoustic guitar.     

 

Wally Pleasant, East Lansing's resident musical anomaly, is about to release his fourth CD, "Wally World."     

 

With song titles like "The Day Ted Nugent Killed All The Animals" and "Rumble At The Karaoke Bar," it's clear Pleasant hasn't lost any of his characteristically dry - er, wet humor.     

 

"I try to sometimes address the same things comedians address or deal with real-life stuff in a funny way," he said. "I try to sing about those things in ways people haven't thought of."     

 

This album also marks Pleasant's return to his acoustic roots.     

 

"The first one was basically recorded in a guy's basement. The second one had more instruments. This one is going back to the acoustic feel," he said.     

 

Acoustic guitar or four-piece rock band aside, Pleasant has always been influenced by a wide variety of music.     

 

Most, he said, are not current radio bands.     

 

The singer cited Louis Jordan, the pre-rock 'n' roll, big-band saxophonist; The Beach Boys; as well as various mix tapes found at garage sales and truck stops as some of his favorite ear candy.     

 

"I got one that was all truck driver songs called '40 Miles Of Bad Road,'" Pleasant said.     

 

Still, Pleasant readily admitted that these influences are not that obvious in his music.     

 

"I bought The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds,' which was Brian Wilson's experimental album. At the end of the last song he has a train noise accompanied by dogs barking. As a tribute to that I had a train noise with cats meowing. That's the way the new stuff is influenced," he said.     

 

In high school, Pleasant said he listened to some punk rock, which he has since grown away from.     

 

"It doesn't really move me too much. It doesn't seem like it's an influence anymore," Pleasant said. "When punk rock first started, they would use just four chords. It was almost '50s influenced. That's kind of similar to what I did especially when I started out, except I didn't have drums or yell too much."     

 

Yet, he still has a strong belief in the do-it-yourself ethic espoused by many punk bands. This ethic spurred Pleasant to found his own label - one he releases his own CDs on.     

 

Pleasant said that he doesn't have any delusions about getting signed to a major label, but added that he wouldn't enjoy a 9-to-5 job.     

 

"I'd just as soon keep on touring and maybe even concentrate on the business aspect like signing other bands. Some bands are younger and just starting out and it feels good to help them out, give them opportunities to play and record," he said.

Email: wp@wallypleasant.com