Thursday, November 07, 2013

20 Years, 36 Chambers

I was home for fall break sometime in September of 1993, my sophomore year at W&M. My dad kept an extra car around for me to use when I was home, a 1983 Subaru DL. It was a dusty blue with a massive chrome luggage rack on the trunk lid, which also had strips of real wood to protect the trunk lid's finish from getting rubbed by any hypothetical luggage. It looked just like this fancy GL-10 model:


It impressed no one who saw me drive by in it. My passengers were similarly unimpressed -- it had power windows and working AC, which was a bit of a big deal for me at the time, but everything else inside sucked. The whole interior was blue. The upholstery looked like fur harvested from blue mice. All of the plastic was hard and deeply grained, catching all the greasy grime and detritus that came onboard, and because the plastic was blue it provided a sharp contrast for most of this dirt, bringing the filth into clear focus. The steering wheel was a bizarre affair with two prongs at five- and seven-o'clock and small thumb hooks at three-and nine-o'clock for those who know where to properly position their fists. The controls for the lights and wipers were big black warts located outboard of the steering wheel. I've not seen such a setup anywhere else before or since, but they had a nice feel and were very functional. Kind of like tuning in Tokyo 90 degrees the wrong way. The dash had a surprisingly complete instrument cluster, including a voltmeter and oil pressure gauge. It was a lot like this, but with switches instead of window cranks.


It was a remarkably reliable car, if mechanically underwhelming. The engine was a tiny wheezy contraption better suited to powering peanut grinders than automobiles. The clutch had zero feel--push it to the floor to guarantee the gears are disengaged and slowly lift up until the tach starts spinning clockwise, otherwise there was no tangible feedback that a gear was engaged. And choosing a gear with the stupidly long shifter was more an act of divination than selection. I knew where third gear was supposed to be, but sometimes it simply wasn't there anymore. The shifter made painful crunching and clicking sounds when moved through its gates. They were so bad that I often wondered when the stick would simply snap off in my hand. Unlike all Subarus today and most from the 1980's it was only FWD, not AWD, so I once managed to beach it in a foot of snow.

It had an AM/FM radio but no tape deck. Factory beats, as TR would say. The knobs fell off before I even got my learner's permit so I had to use my thumb and forefinger as a pincers to twist the remaining metal spoke in order to make an orange needle slide left and right to select a radio station. There was a second bare spoke for the volume. In cold weather the spokes would become harder to turn, I guess because the grease in the mechanism started to solidify, so fine-tuning a station was nearly impossible after Thanksgiving. If you wanted to adjust the left-right balance or front-rear fade, you had to pull the spoke out until it clicked. Everyone on earth sets both of these parameters to the dead center detent and never touches them again. Except for my father, who loved a fucked up setting with a slight front-left bias. So every time I got the car back I had to grip these shitty spikes as hard as I could lest I go insane from the oddball sound orientation. Treble and bass adjustments were made by turning a collar behind the spikes--these fortunately did not fall off and always worked easily. It had five present buttons but pushing them merely slid the orange needle into the general vicinity of where you had previously set the button; you never knew exactly what you would get from the presets. Mercifully, it had four speakers (unlike my mother's 1986 Nissan Sentra and its one lonely cardboard mid) and acceptable sound quality. You can get an idea of it from this photo.


Despite my harsh characterization it was a fine car for my situation in the fall of 1993 and I have many fond memories of time spent inside it. You probably expect this to turn into a tale about a backseat misadventure, and a few of those definitely fall within the scope of my aforementioned fond memories. But the reason I remember so much about the radio in the Sube is because was driving it down Queen Anne Road one night in September 1993 listening to 98.7 (which sadly is now sports talk radio) when, as I approached the intersection of Queen Anne and Cherry Lane, this happened.



It was through that rattletrap device that I first experienced a Wu-Tang Clan song. Forties, shorties, White Owls, fat bags! Rub it on your skin like lotion?! Not an average Joe with average flow doing average things with average hos?! Oh shit that's the jam!! I had no idea who or what I just heard, but I wanted to hear that joint again and again.


I later conferred with some of my friends who stayed in the area and they informed me that this was a song called "Method Man" by the Wu-Tang Clan, and that they had another song called Protect Ya Neck which I heard soon thereafter. It was just as game-changingly dope as Method Man.



Parenthetically, I love this video. It looks like they made and edited it using equipment from their high school's AV closet. Everything was shot on top of or behind their project. The GZA is "The Jizah." Ghostface Killah is "Ghost Face Killer." I suspect the whole endeavor cost under $100.

Fall break ended and I returned to the Burg. Predictably, none of my fratres heard any Wu-Tang joints once during fall break, let alone again and again. So I sought out Schmandy, a white guy with dreadlocks who was considered to be an esteemed member of the rap cognoscenti by the guys in his hipper and more musically aware frat, and the fratty populace in general. I found him walking through the parking lot with a few of his brothers. When I asked if he had heard of the Wu-Tang Clan, he said no and coolly laughed and furrowed his brows as if to indicate that the name alone was goofy. I told him he needed to check them out and asked if he heard the song "Method Man" and he shook his head and stuck out his lower lip. So I said "you know, the song that goes" and spit the chorus that concludes with "M-E-T-H-O-D man!" and Schmandy replied "Anyone rapper who samples Hall and Oates must suck" and walked on.

You will doubtlessly read many deep think-pieces about "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" over the next few days because it was released 20 years ago the day after tomorrow. I could write at length about how unprecedentedly evil it sounded in 1993, how it called up images of places that nice people don't go and things that nice people don't do. How despite having big fat beats it was undanceable music, intended to be listened to very loud while very drunk and very high. And so on. Instead, however, I think the most telling thing I can write about the power of WTC's music is how I will always remember every detail of where I was and what I was doing when I first heard it. That I am also able to work in a distillation of why my time spent at William and Mary was culturally disappointing is mere gravy.

69 comments:

rob said...

now that's a blog post

zman said...

I forgot to note that the Sube had 69 horsepower. Honestly.

zman said...

And it was rated at 30/43 MPG.

rootsminer said...

I'm just honored to have been a part of your collegiate cultural disappointment. I always dug that album, even back in my nascent hippy-jam-grass phase.

Also, nice work busting Schmandy's balls. He was the captain of my first Grateful Dead trip. Not sure what that says about his rap cognoscenti cred...

TR said...

I didn't know hip hop had a grunge phase in 1993.

T.J. said...

just woke up in san fran, am very jet lagged, dread first 13 hours day of five in a row...but this post might get me through the day

though, did I miss the "SubaWuTang" tag? probably, since i skimmed

TR said...

Took me a while to figure out who Schmandy was. I think you mistook the dreads for street cred.

zman said...

The Sube was full of grunge.

You added some cultural value Rootsy. You introduced me to Ry Cooder, Tower of Power, Johnny Cash, and most importantly The Grape.

rootsminer said...

The Grape? You're talking about the mason jar libation, I presume?

Had I been hipper at the time I would have turned you on to Moby Grape, who really should have been the greatest of the San Francisco bands.

And my old 1976 VW Rabbit was undoubtedly grungier than the Sube, plus I had a radio but no security code, so you had three guesses each time you started her up.

Greg said...

When was hip-hop's "hair band" era?

zman said...

The Spirit of '76!

zman said...

Didn't I donate an old radio to the Rabbit?

mr kq said...

This is brilliant. The car detail is awesome. Had several of those cars, one of which was a 71 Dodge Challenger. Shit stain brown with an aftermarket electric sunroof. Put in a cassette deck with eq in the glove box. Couldn't quite reach it so was a bit dicey adjusting while driving. AlwAys seemed to need more bass. Precursor to texting I suppose.

zman said...

A nearly universal bond among Americans with driver's licenses is their fondness for the shitty cars they drove when they were kids. Everyone has good stories on this topic.

Note that Subarus did not have model names in the early 1980's. You told the dealer whether you wanted a coupe, sedan, hatchback, or wagon, then selected a drivetrain and trim level. All of these were sold merely as "Subaru." I don't know if anyone else did this. Maybe Yugo.

Danimal said...

yeah, nice. mine was an '82 chevy citation. powder blue. 2 doors. also put in a sweet pioneer stereo with ear crushing speakers. the unique thing with the citation was the radio was verically situated, always a conversation starter.

the real beauty was the fold down back seat giving you access to the trunk. that is where we'd keep an ice-filled rubbermaid tub of beer while crusing incester. theoretically. one of the many wise decisions of yesteryear. theoretically.

rootsminer said...

You may have been the one who solved my stereo snafu Z. Thanks again!

Dave said...

would zman have been cooler with a cooler car? could he have been more dope? spitting out wu-tang rhymes at w&m?

it took me a few years to listen to 36 chambers -- listened to it in my jeep (the deathbox) on a mid nineties ride down to the obft, played it over and over, despite the tinny sounding speakers with no bass.

rob said...

i reject the idea that william and mary is culturally disappointing. it brings together uptight preppy kids from both rural and suburban settings. there's a lot of diversity to that mix.

mr kq said...

Moved on from Furious to Abita Jockamoe on Bourbon St last night. Folks down here seem to have a good time. The open container thing may contribute to that.

One more night - Any Nawlin's recs from the seasoned travelers of GTB?

Mark said...

BUTCHER. Eat there.

Danimal said...

red fish grille
dickie brennan's
if you're going to go w/mark's rec, go have a drink and/or app at one of if not both of the above...

rootsminer said...

I never saw this 69 HP Sube, but Z sported around the burg in a super dope Nissan Sentra. Seemed pretty nice at the time compared to my rabbit. I saw a similar vintage the other day and got a little nostalgic.

rob said...

how'd you enjoy the furious, ken?

also, go to cooter brown's for gator po' boy, then watch the sun come up from the bar at igor's.

Mark said...

Turtle Bay is a solid 24 hour bar. Great late night burgers too.

As for the post, well done. Brought back memories of my 1984 Ford LTD.

mr kq said...

Loved it. Right up there with my favs from Green Flash and Stone. Currently bellied up at Dickie B's for lunch. One block from hotel. Thanks Gheorghe: The Trip Advisor!

Danimal said...

Gheorghe: Travel Blog

Quite envious.

mr kq said...

Missed the :Travel Blog. I blame it on Bourbon St.

Greg said...

So, travel blog guys, any recommendations for Tampa?

rob said...

tasty slate of college football action this weekend, beginning tonight. and a huge college hoops game tomorrow evening. saddle up.

tampa? i got nothing.

zman said...

Bern's steakhouse in Tampa is worth the trip.

Danimal said...

tampa is outside of my bailiwick

Clarence said...

Tampa? Nope. I recommend a taxi and a charge card.

New Orleans?



IGOR'S!!!!!!!'

rootsminer said...

Clarence,

Any recommendations for what I can do next Friday in VA Beach area with my jug band? We're contracted to play a Fri 12:30 School Show and a Saturday Night Concert in Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore, and I'm wondering what the hell we're going to do in between.

Any good street corners, or places where a gang of primitive musicianers might pass a few hours pickin' in the 757?

Mark said...

Stay in South Tampa, preferably Hyde Park. Cool restaurants and bars. Not your stereotypical sleezy Tampa vibe. That's largely where I hung out during my brief timei living there

Mark said...

Danimal- any CFB picks for tonight?

I'm taking Oregon and laying the 10. Mariotta is better and more experienced than last year. Oregon's D is better too. I also don't think Stanford is as good in the pass game as last year. They lack the threat of TEs. If you can contain Montgomery than they don't have a playmaker there.

I'm tempted to take Baylor too and suspect I'll regret not doing so but giving up a total of 24.5 points in two games of top ten teams is too much for me.

Danimal said...

I took Baylor giving 16.5 and Oregon at 10.5. 14.5 sounds so much better.

Danimal said...

Relatively slow start thus far. Thoroughly irked with this OR game being on a Thursday night past by bedtime. Teejus picked a good week to head to s.f.

Mark said...

The Oregon- Stanford game being on a Thursday makes me think ESPN/ABC was scared off by Bama-LSU and didn't want to get crushed in the ratings on Saturday night. Errbody scared of the SEC.

Danimal said...

Wow. Just give them a touchdown. Is that an "easy call"?

Danimal said...

At this point it looks like not getting that bet in is a good thing.

Mark said...

Agreed. On the bright side, you could've parlayed Baylor and the 74.5 over.

Danimal said...

S L U M P

Mark said...

Baylor's top 3 tailbacks are named Lache, Glasco and Shock. No wonder their offense is great.

T.J. said...

Was really confused when I just walked past a bar and Skins/Vikings was on...but yes, that does mean I get Oregon/Stanford at a normal hour

zman said...

Dave clearly isn't from nj because if he was he wold know that cars can make you cooler in high school. A goofy guy two years ahead of me suddenly started dating extremely desirable girls once he got an Alfa Romeo convertible. One particularly honest girl admitted that she was really dating the car.

Mark said...

Wait, TJ walked PAST the bar? I'm not so sure about West Coast TJ.

Mark said...

Also, TJ. Do you remember my college buddy Socks aka Beetle from our time in Jacksonville? He lives in San Francisco. I'm sure he'd show y'all a good time. Before he gets blind drunk, of course.

Mark said...

You might be alright after all, Dan.

Mark said...

Oh yeah, you'll definitely be fine.

T.J. said...

West coast Teej recognizes a familiar scent in the air

rob said...

didn't really see this score after one period in autzen.

rob said...

or stanford stadium, whichever

Mark said...

Stanford is manhandling Oregon on the line of scrimmage.

Bad PI call in my view. A big one too.

rob said...

jeez, shane skov just punked d'anthony thomas

Mark said...

That was nasty. One hand. He's strong.

rob said...

so do we think baylor is for real?

zman said...

Terrible fake punt.

Mark said...

I do, Rob.

rob said...

they're really not going to play anybody - texas tech and texas at home, oklahoma state and tcu on the road in their last 4. in previous years, that's a tough run. maybe not this year.

but it's hard to argue with their results to date, especially with a respectable win tonight.

Mark said...

None of those teams are great but that doesn't mean they won't drop one. I think it's likely they do. But they're really, really good,IMO. Fuck you, BCS.

Mark said...

Stanford has been unbelievably impressive tonight. Far more physical than Oregon. Pushed them all over the field.

TR said...

Hammered. In car home. Have to be back in office in 7 hours, despite goatating all week.

And Jim Cramer sorta made fun of me last night. Badge of honor.

TR said...

Lincoln Tunnel traffic at 12:15 AM is a real thing.

Marls - never move out if it's not necessary.

Clarence said...

Rootsy -- come hang with me.

Gheorghies . . . hello. Bad NFL game tonight, so I recall vaguely.

T.J. said...

Hi Ghees

Clarence said...

Isn't Teedge on the west coast? Does that count?

No matter, what's up, TJ? Taken any of my restaurant recs?

T.J. said...

Been here 24 hrs sir. Have been to one of ur recs before, will find the others before we go.

Dave said...

hey gheorghies?

amanda young said...

This beat is off the hook dude, has been used many many many times throughout rap history especially in freestle battles. Amanda Vanderpool