Empty Checking With Derek Brink

In this (unwittingly delayed) episode, I talk about new releases from Johnny Cash, Cage the Elephant, and Vampire Weekend, then the new graphic novel "Youth Group" by Bowen McCurdy and Jordan Morris. It's a short, but fun one! Enjoy! blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 10:38 - Lectio Divina 11:08 - New Music Releases 11:48 - Johnny Cash 17:09 - Vampire Weekend 22:00 - Cage the Elephant 25:56 - Deeper Than Oceans 26:26 - Youth Group 27:22 - The Cycle: Part 4 27:52 - Outro

I was startled to learn that I'm past due for a new episode. Sorry! Here's an explanation. but TLDR, there'll be a new episode this weekend, assuming nothing bad or weird happens. Thanks for your patience, Checkmates!

In this episode, your Papa Dave and I count down our Fab 15 Concerts that we attended together. It's a fun talk and hopefully it'll inspire you to check out some bands for the first time, or revisit some old favorites. SPOILER ALERT (for real) - I am now posting the lists at the blog. So if you don't want to be spoiled, don't visit the blog until after you listen! ...speaking of which... Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Dave's Blog: http://davidbrink.home.blog Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079 Time Index (spoiler free): 0:00 - Intro 11:08 - #15 20:30 - #14 28:46 - #13 38:42 - #12 49:47 - #11 54:11 - #10 1:04:43 - #9 1:19:18 - #8 1:27:40 - #7 1:36:49 - #6 1:56:49 - #5 2:09:33 - #4  2:11:31 - #3  2:20:10 - #2 2:25:22 - #1 2:38:41 - Honorable Mentions and so on...

If you think YOU'RE frustrated by the lack of a new episode, just imagine how I feel! Is this update full of empty promises, or will these promises actually happen? Only time will tell!

A quick update on where the show has been and when it will be back. (Spoiler alert: SOON!) Thanks for your patience as I've had stuff going on, off mic.

In this episode, I mostly talk about the newest albums by the Decemberists and Billie Eilish. But I also pay tribute to Martin Mull and whine about Doctor Who. It's a shorter episode, so it's a good jump-on point, if you're looking for one! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro and a tribute to Martin Mull. 16:58 - Live Your Life 17:30 - Music Releases 18:38 - Decemberists - As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again 23:38 - Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft 27:54 - I Hope You're Happy 28:25 - Outro, including griping about Doctor Who

In this special episode, I'm listening to my new album "Boop" and doing commentary over it. It's probably a frustrating listen if you want to hear the album, but if you have already heard it, it's probably at least a little interesting! The album is available for ABSOLUTELY FREE (or pay-what-you-want) at http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com. Hope you have fun with this one, and even MORE fun listening to the album! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com (No time index this week, since it's just the one topic.)

In this episode, I'm playing catch-up on a bunch of new music. There's stuff from Shellac, Alkaline Trio, Old 97s, Neil Young, Bruce Dickinson, Sierra Ferrell, and Frank Turner. I also take a really weird stance on that Beyoncé record at one point...but you'll have to listen to figure out when! It's fun! Click things! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 12:27 - No Money 12:57 - New Music Reviews 12:57 - Shellac - To All Trains 17:30 - Alkaline Trio - Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs 20:09 - Old 97s - American Primitive 24:24 - Neil Young - Fuckin' Up 27:14 - Bruce Dickinson - The Mandrake Project 31:10 - Sierra Ferrell - Trail of Flowers 36:11 - Frank Turner - Undefeated 41:15 - Jean Jacket 41:45 - Outro

In this episode, I called an audible and decided to pay tribute to the man I believe was the George Martin of indie rock, Steve Albini. I end up talking about 12 releases by such acts as Big Black, Nirvana, Cheap Trick, Pixies, Plush, Godspeed You Black Emperor, and more...and I don't even touch on 1% of the 2000+ albums on which he worked. Join me for this special episode, as I try to give just a small GLIMPSE into the career of one of the true greats. Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 7:31 - Safari 8:01 - Tribute to Steve Albini 53:07 - One in a Million 53:37 - Outro

This is a slightly p-popping episode, and I apologize for that...but it's a fun one, if you can get over that! I talk about Only Murders in the Building, The Three Amigos, and The Great Race, then music from Taylor Swift, Joni Mitchell, Khruangbin, and Pearl Jam. Plus some personal stuff, of course. This episode also contains a few samples of songs from my upcoming record "Boop," which comes out on May 3! Hope you dig it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0.00 - Intro 9:48 - A life update 14:58 - Vagabond (Not yet available! Yay!) 15:28 - TV Stuff 15:28 - Only Murders in the Building 23:41 - Three Amigos 27:37 - The Great Race 33:01 - Losing Sleep (Also not available! Hurrah!) 33:32 - Music Reviews 34:08 - Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department 39:59 - Joni Mitchell - At Newport (2023) 44:51 - Khruangbin - A La Sala (which I somehow didn't actually say in the show. Oops.) 48:04 - Pearl Jam - Dark Matter 51:27 - Slainte

In this "FAST CASH" episode of Empty Checking, we only talk about one topic, and don't do it for as long. And the topic at hand is bidding farewell to comic legend Joe Flaherty. (I also talk about my recent dental problems, but it's mostly about Joe.) Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com This one's a little different, so here are the song links, but I'm not breaking down the times. Songs in this episode: Being There Absent Friends

Believe me. I wish this were a full episode even more than you do.

I'm...just so tired. The show WILL be back. But here's why it isn't yet. Thanks for your patience.

It's been a rough couple of weeks. I need a minute. Here's me babbling about that. Should be a new episode over the weekend. Etc. Sorry for the delay. And apparently, I love you...

In this episode, your Uncle Derek and your Papa Dave are celebrating an American treasure by counting down (or up?) our Fab 15 Weird Al songs! It's a fun and oddly spirited debate! Be part of giving us the Weird Al Bump and check it out! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079  Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 9:58 - #15 - So I just used this... 14:00 - #14 - A couple matches. 20:27 - #13 - "That's the joke!" 25:04 - #12 - Dave has a cat in his face. 30:57 - #11 - On the subject of accordions... 38:04 - #10 - Go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog. 40:30 - #9 - Micro Machines Guy 46:46 - #8 - THE ALBUM VERSION (And a dumb linguistic lesson!) 52:26 - #7 - We got there. As foretold. 56:30 - #6 - Dave knows a lot about a very specific form of parody... 1:05:44 - #5 - LITERAL JAW DROP. 1:09:22 - #4 - Dave explains... 1:11:44 - #3 - Putting him on the map. 1:14:21 - #2 - Dave's out... 1:18:09 - #1 - BECA

You know what these uploads mean...no new episode in the immediate... But I do PROMISE one for Saturday, pending anything terrible happening to me! So listen to me explain... And until Saturday? Courage.

Sorry it took a while to get this week's episode uploaded. It's been weird. But whatever! We've got a good episode ready to go in which I pay tribute to Melinda Ledbetter and Wayne Kramer, then talk about my feelings on the final season of Star Trek: Picard and the Extreme/Living Colour show I saw a week ago! Dig it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: I say "Gestalt Entity" at one point in this episode... 0:00 - Intro 9:27 - Not Okay 9:57 - RIPs 10:29 - Melinda Ledbetter 15:34 - Bro. Wayne Kramer 26:20 - Sometimes You Say Goodbye (Acoustic Version) 26:50 - Star Trek Picard: Season 3 45:00 - Being There 45:30 - Extreme and Living Colour 1:03:53 - One Man 1:04:23 - Outro

So here's why you're still waiting on an episode... Sorry... SOON though!

In this episode, I talk about Picard Season 2 and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. I also touch on the recent happenings in WWE...maybe a slight trigger warning, there. (I do NOT go into detail, but I do address the allegations against Vince McMahon.) I know that part makes it sound like it might not be a super fun episode...but it mostly is! Dig it! blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 15:12 - Forever Home 15:42 - Recent happenings in WWE 24:30 - Coffee in My Cup 25:00 - Recent (Non-Wrestling) Viewing 25:40 - Star Trek Picard (Season 2) 36:15 - Weird: The Al Yankovic Story 43:15 - One Man (Uncle Dick) 43:47 - Outro

TL;DR - The new episode is late because of Vince McMahon. It'll be up soon. Here's a bit of an explanation. Etc. Thanks!