NME Magazine 28 February 1998 Space Tommy Scott Madonna Smashing Pumpkins NP009

Original NME (New Musical Express) Magazine dated 28 February 1998, featuring Liverpool alternative rock band Space and frontman Tommy Scott as the main cover attraction.

This vintage issue captures the British indie and alternative music scene of the late 1990s, with additional advertised coverage of Madonna, Smashing Pumpkins, Cornershop, Primal Scream, Symposium, Warm Jets, Six By Seven and Pixies.

The front cover features a large, dramatic photograph of Tommy Scott wearing an astronaut-style spacesuit, with his dark hair pushed back by a headband.

The photograph uses a science-fiction-inspired presentation, fitting the band's name and the playful nature of their music.

The main cover headline reads:

“GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOMMY... SPACE”

With the accompanying strapline:

“OUT OF THIS WORLD! OUT OF THEIR MINDS!”

The headline references the space-travel theme while making a play on Tommy Scott's name.

The photograph is credited to Kevin Westenberg, and the distinctive yellow-and-blue cover typography makes this an eye-catching example of late-1990s NME design.

Space – Main Cover Feature

Space were a prominent Liverpool alternative rock band during the Britpop era, known for combining indie rock with electronic influences and unconventional songwriting.

This issue promotes a major feature on the band, with Tommy Scott taking centre stage in a theatrical astronaut-themed cover photograph.

The cover's humorous science-fiction imagery and bold typography reflect the band's distinctive identity within the British music scene.

This makes the issue particularly interesting for collectors of Space, Tommy Scott and original 1990s indie music publications.

Madonna – New Album Review

The upper-left section advertises:

“NEW MATERIAL GIRL: IS THE LATEST MADONNA LP ANY GOOD?”

This refers to contemporary coverage of Madonna's new album during the period of Ray of Light, released in 1998.

The feature provides an additional connection to one of the major pop releases of the year.

For Madonna collectors, this issue represents an example of how the British alternative music press covered her late-1990s musical direction.

Smashing Pumpkins – New CD News

Across the top of the cover is the headline:

“SMASHING PUMPKINS ON THEIR NEW CD – PAGE 3”

This advertises a news feature concerning the American alternative rock band's forthcoming music.

The prominent placement gives the issue additional interest for collectors of Smashing Pumpkins and 1990s American alternative rock.

Cornershop – Live Coverage

The cover also promotes:

“TILL COMMUNICATIONS! THE MIGHTY CORNERSHOP LIVE”

This advertises live coverage of Cornershop, the British alternative rock band whose music became particularly prominent during the late 1990s.

Other Featured Artists

The lower cover advertises several additional artists and features:

• Primal Scream – influential Scottish alternative rock band.

• Symposium – British alternative rock group.

• Warm Jets – British indie rock band.

• Six By Seven – British alternative rock band.

• Unbelievable Truth – British alternative rock group.

• Pixies – advertised through a classic interview feature.

The inclusion of a classic Pixies interview is particularly notable for collectors of alternative rock history and original music journalism.

Essential UK Gig Guide

The right-hand side of the cover advertises:

“OVER 500 BIG NIGHTS OUT IN THE ESSENTIAL UK GIG GUIDE”

This promotes extensive concert and live music listings from the period.

Such contemporary gig listings can be of interest to collectors researching late-1990s British concert history and touring activity.

Collector Interest

This issue combines a distinctive Space cover with major contemporary music stories and features.

It may particularly appeal to collectors interested in:

• Space and Tommy Scott memorabilia.

• Original NME magazines.

• Madonna's Ray of Light era.

• Smashing Pumpkins.

• Cornershop and British indie music.

• Primal Scream and alternative rock.

• Pixies interviews and music journalism.

• Late-1990s British concert and gig listings.

Magazine / Item Details

Condition

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

The following assessment is based on the single supplied front-cover photograph.

Front Cover: The main Tommy Scott photograph remains clear, with the distinctive astronaut-themed artwork and yellow NME lettering well presented. There is visible light creasing, surface waviness and general handling wear, particularly around the outer margins.

Spine / Left Edge: The left-hand edge shows compression, minor creasing and some unevenness along the folded paper edge. The lower-left area has more noticeable wear, with slight bending and roughness.

Right Edge: The right-hand edge appears slightly uneven and wavy, with some light fraying and age-related wear consistent with the thin paper stock.

Top Edge: The upper margin shows mild waviness and slight curling. The upper corners appear softened from previous handling and storage.

Bottom Edge: The bottom margin shows visible creasing, slight curling and general edge wear. There are small bends and irregularities towards the lower corners.

Corners: The corners show some softening and minor bending. The lower-left corner has noticeable handling wear, while the lower-right corner shows slight compression and unevenness.

Discolouration: Age-related yellowing and toning are visible around the pale outer margins, particularly along the right-hand and bottom edges.

Surface Marks: Minor marks, light rubbing and general surface wear are visible. The main photograph and printed text remain clearly readable.

Tears / Damage: No obvious major tears or large missing sections are visible on the photographed front cover. Minor edge irregularities are present.

Interior Pages: The interior pages and back cover have not been photographed, so their condition and completeness cannot be fully assessed.

Overall, this is a vintage reading and collecting copy showing age-related handling and storage wear, while retaining a distinctive and clearly presented Space cover.

Please examine the supplied photograph carefully, as it forms an important part of the condition description.

Packaging & Postage

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

It will be securely packed to help reduce the risk of crushing, excessive bending and further damage during transit.