NME Magazine – 18 October 1997 – Ash / Tim Wheeler

Original vintage NME (New Musical Express) magazine, dated 18 October 1997, featuring Tim Wheeler of Northern Irish alternative rock band Ash on the front cover.

This issue captures Ash during their rise to prominence in the British and Irish alternative rock scene of the 1990s, following the success of their breakthrough album 1977.

The magazine features a striking close-up portrait of Tim Wheeler, alongside an extensive illustrated feature on the band and coverage of numerous other important artists of the era.

Front Cover – Ash

The front cover is dominated by a large colour photograph of Tim Wheeler, photographed by Kevin Westenberg.

The portrait shows Wheeler with tousled dark hair, looking directly towards the camera. The photograph uses warm facial tones against a muted green background, giving the cover a distinctive late-1990s alternative rock appearance.

The band's name ASH appears in enormous pale lettering across the lower-left section.

The principal cover headlines read:

"A LIFE EXTRAORDINARY!"

"FAME! FORTUNE! MADNESS! STAR WARS PARTIES!"

The cover also advertises:

"THE ULTIMATE TEENAGE SURVIVAL GUIDE"

These headlines reflect the magazine's focus on Ash's rapid rise to fame, youthful experiences and life in the music industry.

Inside Feature – Three Wise Men and a Little Lady

The supplied interior photograph confirms a substantial illustrated article about Ash.

The feature is titled:

"three wise men and a little lady"

It includes a large colour photograph of the four band members standing in front of a reddish corrugated metal background.

The photograph shows:

• Tim Wheeler – lead vocals and guitar.

• Mark Hamilton – bass guitar.

• Rick McMurray – drums.

• Charlotte Hatherley – guitar and vocals.

The group photograph is particularly interesting because it captures Ash during their four-piece period following Charlotte Hatherley's arrival.

Tim Wheeler stands prominently towards the centre-right wearing a dark T-shirt, while the other members are arranged around him.

The accompanying article, written by Sylvia Patterson, explores the band's experiences of success, touring, relationships, public attention and the pressures of becoming young rock stars.

It includes discussion of the band's increasingly high-profile lifestyle and the contrast between their youthful image and the realities of fame.

The article's combination of photography, interviews and contemporary commentary provides an interesting historical record of Ash during their breakthrough years.

Other Featured Artists and Contents

The front cover advertises a broad selection of late-1990s music and entertainment coverage.

Strangelove: British alternative rock band associated with the 1990s indie scene.

Marilyn Manson: Listed on the cover as "Manson", reflecting the magazine's coverage of contemporary alternative music.

Robbie Williams: British solo singer and former Take That member, during the early stages of his successful solo career.

Lo-Fidelity Allstars: British electronic music group associated with the big beat movement.

Ocean Colour Scene: British rock band closely associated with the Britpop era.

Primal Scream: Scottish alternative rock band known for blending rock, dance and electronic influences.

Pixies: Influential American alternative rock band.

John Peel: The legendary BBC radio broadcaster is featured in a cover reference to his personal favourites.

Stereophonics: The cover promotes a feature involving the Welsh rock band and a campaign concerning real ales.

Size Matters / Reprazent: The upper-right cover headline references Reprazent, associated with Roni Size and the British drum and bass scene.

Together, these features reflect the diverse musical landscape of 1997, encompassing indie rock, Britpop, electronic music, alternative rock and mainstream pop.

Historical and Collector Interest

This edition is particularly appealing to collectors of Ash, Tim Wheeler and Charlotte Hatherley memorabilia.

The interior band photograph is a notable feature, documenting the four-member Ash line-up during an important period in the band's development.

The issue also provides an interesting example of late-1990s NME journalism, with its bold headlines, large-scale photography and extensive coverage of alternative music culture.

It would make an interesting addition to a collection of vintage British music magazines, Britpop memorabilia or original 1990s music publications.

Magazine Details

• Publication: NME – New Musical Express

• Date: 18 October 1997

• Main Cover Band: Ash

• Main Cover Star: Tim Wheeler

• Cover Photographer: Kevin Westenberg

• Featured Band Members: Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, Rick McMurray and Charlotte Hatherley

• Main Interior Feature: Three Wise Men and a Little Lady

• Feature Writer: Sylvia Patterson

• Other Cover Subjects: Strangelove, Manson, Robbie Williams, Lo-Fidelity Allstars, Ocean Colour Scene, Primal Scream, Pixies, John Peel, Stereophonics and Reprazent

• Original Cover Price: 95p

• Publication Country: United Kingdom

• Format: Large-format vintage music magazine

• Era: 1990s

• Condition: Pre-owned – see detailed condition description

• SKU: NP010

Condition – Please Read Carefully

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible signs of age, storage and handling.

The condition assessment below is based on the supplied photographs of the front cover and interior Ash feature.

Front Cover: The main cover photograph remains clear and visually attractive. Tim Wheeler's portrait, the NME masthead and the principal headlines are all readily visible. There are light surface marks, creasing and general handling wear consistent with a vintage publication.

Spine / Left Edge: The left-hand edge shows visible creasing and unevenness, particularly around the middle section. There is some compression and age-related wear along the folded edge.

Right Edge: The right-hand margin shows noticeable yellowing and discolouration. The paper has a slightly uneven appearance, with light creasing and handling wear.

Top Edge: The top margin shows age-related toning and slight waviness. There is minor wear around the upper corners.

Bottom Edge: The lower margin has visible age-related marks and creasing. There is a particularly noticeable dark smudge or ink-like mark near the bottom-right corner.

Corners: The corners show wear and softening, with the bottom-right corner displaying noticeable bending and discolouration.

Discolouration: The outer white margins have developed a cream/yellow tone with age, particularly along the right-hand side and lower edge.

Interior Pages: The photographed double-page Ash feature remains clearly printed, with the large colour photograph and accompanying text visible. The pages show some waviness and handling creases, especially near the centre fold and outer edges.

Centre Fold: The interior spread shows curvature and creasing around the central fold. The pages appear attached in the photographed section, although the full binding has not been inspected.

Marks: There are visible marks and signs of handling on the cover. No obvious handwritten annotations are visible in the supplied photographs.

Completeness: Only selected pages have been photographed. The completeness of the entire magazine has not been independently verified.

Overall Condition: A presentable original 1997 NME magazine with attractive Ash cover artwork and an illustrated interior feature. It displays visible age-related wear and should not be considered pristine or mint.

Please examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the item description.

Packaging and Postage

The magazine will be carefully and safely folded and securely packaged inside a protective cardboard box for postage.

Care will be taken to minimise excessive bending, crushing and further damage during transit.

An original piece of 1990s British music history, particularly appealing to Ash fans and collectors of vintage NME magazines.

SKU: NP010