Melody Maker Magazine 1 November 1997 Black Grape Oasis Embrace Eddie Izzard NP007

Original Melody Maker Magazine dated 1 November 1997, with Black Grape as the main front-cover feature.

The cover uses a distinctive Men in Black-inspired photograph, with the two central figures dressed in dark suits and sunglasses beneath the headline:

“MEN IN BLACK GRAPE”

and the strapline:

“PROTECTING THE CHARTS FROM THE SCUM OF THE UNIVERSE”

This makes the issue particularly eye-catching for collectors of Black Grape, Shaun Ryder, 1990s alternative music and Melody Maker memorabilia.

The top of the cover also carries the major headline:

“THAT OASIS RADIO RUCK IN FULL”

while other prominent cover features include:

• Embrace – Abbey Road feature
• Eddie Izzard – takes New York
• Primal Scream
• Dannii Minogue
• Hurricane #1
• Strangelove
• Alabama 3
• Chumbawamba
• Death In Vegas
• Smash Mouth
• Stewart Lee
• Sean Hughes

The supplied interior image confirms this as Issue 44, Volume 74 and gives a much clearer view of the contents.

Notable features visible inside include:

• Oasis – page 5 – Noel and Liam featured
• Embrace – page 8 – at Abbey Road Studios
• Eddie Izzard – pages 14–15
• Dannii Minogue – pages 17–18
• Stewart Lee – page 24
• Black Grape – pages 28–29
• Hurricane #1 in the live section
• Primal Scream in the albums section
• Hot Chocolate connected with the singles-review section

Regular Melody Maker departments visible include:

• News
• Charts
• Gossip
• Steve Lamacq
• Orbit
• Preview
• Live
• Coming Up
• Gig Guide
• Now Booking
• Singles
• Albums
• Control Zone
• Demo Hell
• Musicians’ Diary
• Studio Eye
• Talk Talk Talk

Overall, this is a very strong late-1997 British music press issue, combining Black Grape with Oasis, Embrace, Primal Scream and a broad range of indie, Britpop, dance and comedy-related coverage.

Magazine / Item Details

• Publication: Melody Maker
• Item Type: Magazine
• Full Date: 1 November 1997
• Issue: Issue 44, Volume 74
• Main Cover Feature: Black Grape
• Main Headline: “Men In Black Grape”
• Main Strapline: “Protecting the charts from the scum of the universe”
• Other Major Features: Oasis, Embrace, Eddie Izzard
• Additional Artists / Names: Primal Scream, Dannii Minogue, Hurricane #1, Strangelove, Alabama 3, Chumbawamba, Death In Vegas, Smash Mouth, Stewart Lee, Sean Hughes
• Cover Price: 90p
• Era: 1990s
• Music Focus: Britpop, indie, alternative, dance/electronic and pop
• SKU: NP007

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related handling and storage wear.

The front cover shows noticeable surface scuffing, rubbing and fine scratches, particularly across the dark central image where these marks are easier to see.

There are also visible horizontal and diagonal creases across the front, together with general waviness and handling wear.

The left-hand edge/spine area shows compression, creasing and light roughness. The right-hand edge is slightly uneven and wavy, with minor fraying consistent with this type of thin paper stock.

The bottom edge shows light curling, waviness and softened corners. The pale outer margins also show some age-related toning/discolouration and minor marks.

The supplied interior contents page appears complete and clearly readable, but shows some waviness, light creasing and edge wear. The outer edges and lower margins have mild age toning, while the colours and photographs remain strong.

No obvious major page loss, large tears, heavy staining or writing are visible in the two supplied photographs.

Condition assessment is based on the two supplied images, so pages and areas not shown cannot be fully assessed.

Packaging & Postage

The magazine will be carefully and safely folded and packed inside a protective cardboard box for posting.

It will be packed securely to help reduce the risk of bending, crushing and general transit damage while on its way to the buyer.