On Tuesday night (the 26th) we had an earthquake. Yes, a genuine 5 on the richter scale tremor that lasted all of about 10 seconds. Ok, if you're from California that's hardly a proper earthquake but it was the first time I'd ever felt the floor move beneath me like that. I was having a piss at the time. At first I thought it was the wind, then I thought it was the Bradford curry I'd had a few hours earlier. Satisfied that it was only a tremor and that nothing had fallen off the roof I went to bed.

More earth shattering news to follow!

On Wednesday I played at the Library near Hyde Park in Studentland in Leeds. This is in the upstairs venue which houses a bar and no mean PA system. It has the makings of a great live music facility. I received news of the soundcheck being at 5:30pm. This meant rush-hour traffic followed by a long wait. Many's the time I've heard promoters complain about acts being late, and it was this little promoter-like voice that came into my head as I contemplated telling them I worked til 7pm.

So there I was, the only artist on time again! The soundman was an hour late, the other acts arrived in dribs and drabs, and.....I didn't get a soundcheck! I ventured downstairs for some food. 'Can you bring it upstairs?' I asked, 'That's a pain in the arse' replied the scrote who clearly missed the staff induction day. To all American readers: that is British customer service for you!

6 acts eventually arrived, £5 to get in to watch them. I was on 3rd (thank God it wasn't last!) and I enjoyed my set. The onstage sound was very good and I was pleased with how I played. I did Shadow, How Do You Sleep, Whiskey, Gods And Angels, then had a quiet word with a memeber of the string quartet who insisted on talking during my set: they wouldn't look on that so keenly at the Festival Hall. I might have let it go if it was a casual punter, but other band members-no chance!

I finished off with The Prisoner, Cold Cold Day and These Eyes Of Mine. For the latter I borrowed Ashley Hicklin's drummer to bang his box of tricks-this seemed to endear me to the audience and I thought it sounded great-the set was recorded too so when I finally get around to listening to it, I hope it sounded as good on CD.

So not a bad set all in all, the night then dragged somewhat and I must admit I gave in half-way through the last act. Ashley's band sounded great, it really brought out the best in his songs, but it was midnight and I was knackered! Still, I did stop for longer than the promoters!

On Thursday night it was the PJ band at Zephyr. Normally I would say that Zephyr is our spiritual home (the first gig was there) and our number one venue: that always proves to be the kiss of death! Not that there was any hint of this until after the show, which was another stonker. Dave was having his first night with us and the whole thing went really well.

The response was good and I was extrememly pleased with the set. Unfortunately we were lucky to get paid the full amount, owing to an un-expected budget cut which has taken place since Christmas. No-one pointed this out to me, so luckily we got away with it. I've always found the Zephyr people very accomodating, but seriously guys-if you're only going to pay 80 quid for a band we won't be coming again! Another pub lost.

I enjoyed more or less a weekend off this time. Yes, the stock car season has started again and I was at Skegness (in the dry this time) on Sunday afternoon. Tempting to not work again until November but not really practical. That's all until next week!