Melody Maker Magazine 2 August 1997 Reef Oasis Echobelly Embrace Faith No More NP007

Original Melody Maker Magazine dated 2 August 1997, with Reef as the main front-cover feature.

The cover is dominated by a large portrait of a Reef band member thrusting a fist toward the camera, with the bold headline:

“Good grief! It’s… REEF”

and the strapline:

“You’ll believe a band can fly”

This gives the issue strong appeal for collectors of Reef, Britpop, alternative rock and late-1990s Melody Maker memorabilia.

The cover also promotes several notable contemporary features, including:

• Oasis – release date feature
• Echobelly – return feature
• Embrace
• McAlmont
• Faith No More
• The Levellers
• Belle & Sebastian
• Death In Vegas
• Puff Daddy
• Phoenix Festival
• Further music and festival coverage

There is also a prominent free music discount card offer advertised across the top of the cover, along with a large Melody Maker Gig Guide promotion.

The lower cover further references the “Second Summer of Baggy”, giving the issue additional period interest for collectors of late-1990s British indie and alternative music culture.

Other visible cover personalities include Sonya in an Echobelly-related feature and a singles-review feature with Texas.

Overall, this is a strong summer 1997 issue covering Britpop, alternative rock, indie, electronic and hip-hop-related material, with Reef firmly in the main cover position.

Magazine / Item Details

• Publication: Melody Maker
• Item Type: Magazine
• Full Date: 2 August 1997
• Main Cover Feature: Reef
• Main Headline: “Good grief! It’s… Reef”
• Subheading: “You’ll believe a band can fly”
• Other Major Features: Oasis, Echobelly, Embrace, Faith No More
• Additional Artists: McAlmont, The Levellers, Belle & Sebastian, Death In Vegas, Puff Daddy
• Festival Feature: Phoenix Festival
• Other Cover Feature: Texas singles review
• Advertised Extra: Free music discount card
• Cover Price: 85p
• Era: 1990s
• Music Focus: Britpop, indie, alternative rock, electronic and hip-hop
• SKU: NP007

Condition

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

The front cover shows light to moderate creasing, surface waviness and handling wear, especially around the outer margins and lower section.

The left-hand edge/spine area shows some compression, creasing and general wear.

The right-hand edge appears slightly uneven and wavy, with some minor roughness consistent with the thin paper stock.

The top and bottom edges show mild waviness and storage wear, and the corners are softened from handling.

There is some age-related toning/discolouration to the pale border areas, along with a few small marks and light surface wear.

The main cover image and printed text remain clear and readable.

No obvious major tears, heavy staining or writing are visible in the supplied photograph.

Condition assessment is based on the single supplied image, so the interior pages, back cover and any original separate discount-card extra 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.