Empty Checking with Derek Brink

In this episode, I'm low on stuff to talk about because I haven't bought anything lately, so I talk about movies from the recent (25-35 years) Rocky & Bullwinkle universe. It's a show! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com   The subjects this week are pretty intertwined, so I didn't do a time index. But if you're in...

Given the week's happenings, we're postponing the first official show of 2026 for a week, or thereabout. I spent about 11 minutes ranting here. The only thing that seems appropriate to say right now is rest in peace Renee Good and ABOLISH ICE. We will return with a normal episode as soon as possible. Probably next week. Thanks for listening. Keep talking.

It's a Christmas...well...not "miracle." But it's happening near the day! In the final Fab 15 (and EC episode) of 2025, your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are counting down our favorite albums of 2025. It was a really fun talk and we hope you'll enjoy it and maybe find a few new things to listen to! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@d...

This is an unfortunately "special" episode, in which I try to process the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner, while also celebrating some of my favorite movies, directed by Rob, and honoring their memory and legacy. I'm not happy with the episode. It's too rambly and aimless. But it's something. I don't even have a good episode photo because all of my DVDs/BluRays are in stacks for the annual re-sor...

This episode is very raw and emotional. It absolutely comes with a trigger warning, if you are negatively effected by grief, death, mourning, or just-plain hearing someone struggle with loss. Sometime on Sunday morning, November 30th, 2025, my friend Michael Feldman passed away, after a lengthy battle with cancer. I had been in bands with Mike for about 25 years. He's someone who will remain in my...

It's a Thanksgiving treat! There's a new episode of Empty Checking! In advance, I ended up doing something else and did NOT get the nap I was hoping for throughout the episode...but at least I got to talk about music from Cheap Trick, Envy of None, Drive-By Truckers, and Hayley Williams, then about the last Downton Abbey movie, Frasier, and the King of the Hill revival! I had fun doing this one, e...

In this episode, Your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are counting down their Fab 15 Rush songs! Rush is one of our collective favorite bands, and narrowing it down to just 15 was a TOUGH battle. We had a lot of fun rehashing old stories and talking about music that means a lot to us. We hope you enjoy this one, as the subject is very close(r) to our hearts! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Ban...

It's a new episode of the thing! I talk about Dropkick Murphys, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, The Who, Downton Abbey, and a semi-obscure movie called Still Crazy. I had a lot of fun with this one, despite a lot of back pain. Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 11:39 - I Hope You're Happy 12:1...

In this episode--which is neither spooky, nor scary, despite the upload date--I talk about a bunch of new music and get mad at Taylor Swift fans (but maybe not in the way you think). It's a fun one. Check it out! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com   0:00 - Intro, including a tribute to Prunella Scales 13:26 - Live Your Life 1...

In this slightly shorter (but if you ask me TWICE as fun!) episode, I mostly just talk about the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the reunion of RUSH! I had a blast doing this one. I bet you at least sort of enjoy having it on in the background while you work or go to the gym or walk the dog or whatever! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandc...

In this episode, your Papa Dave joins us to count down the FAB 15 Van Halen Songs! (The episode also intermittently features my fridge fan humming. Sorry!) We're both big VH fans, and this one just happens to be coming out on the heels of the 5 year anniversary of the loss of Eddie Van Halen, so it seems a very apt episode. And it's a lot of fun! It's a little longer than usual, just because I was...

In this episode, I talk about all things Spinal Tap for the whole show! The original movie, the recent sequel, and a TON of stuff in-between that you might not even know exists! It was a lot of fun making this one. On a side note, I can't BEGIN to tell you how frustrating it was to realize this is episode 212 instead of 211, so that I could've said, "This episode goes two-eleven." Missed opportuni...

In this episode, I talk about music from Sabrina Carpenter, Margo Price, David Byrne, and Yungblud, then I talk about Only Murders in the Building and the Trekkies documentaries (and just kinda Star Trek in general). I had fun. Now I demand that you do, too! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com   Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 11:1...

After almost a three week accidental hiatus, I'm back with a slightly weird and slightly short episode! In this one I backtrack to correct my thinking on the recent releases by Coheed & Cambria and HAIM, then I talk about Mastodon, the Struts, and a bunch of Oktoberfest beers. I had fun. Maybe you can too! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   ema...

In this episode, I talk about music from Murry Hammond, Hayes Carll, and The Wonder Years and then the movies The Phoenician Scheme, Throw Momma from the Train, and the TV show Columbo. I had a great time recording this one that I hope translates into your ears! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro (I...

I have an episode READY TO GO, but Microsoft has kneecapped me. Listen to this short update to find out how!

A new episode is coming soon! But here's why it isn't up yet...you know the drill!

You lucky ducks! It's a FAB 15 episode, featuring your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave! This week we're counting down our Fab 15 Feel Good Songs. Which was apparently a slightly more confusing topic than intended. But it's a fun listen and includes a nice review of the recent Devo show in St. Louis, up top! Join us, won't you? Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp....

SPECIAL UPLOAD: My thoughts on the death of Hulk Hogan. (Fab 15 episode still to come later tonight.)

A brief upload from the phone to say goodbye to Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Ozzy Osbourne. I wish I'd said everything I said better, but I think my heart is in the right place. Both sad losses. Hang in there until Thursday, and I'll upload a Fab 15 for you!

A quick update on why there's not a new episode yet, plus a very brief book review! There will be a FAB 15 uploaded soon, I promise!

In this episode, we catch up on some music from James McMurtry, Pulp, Neil Young, HAIM, and S.G. Goodman. It's a slightly shorter episode, but packed with fun! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro  11:41 - You and You Alone 12:11 - Recent Listening: 12:47 - James McMurtry - The Black Dog and the Wande...

In this episode, I talk about one of my favorite musical formats--the CD Box Set! That's right! It's a theme episode!!! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: ...there's just one topic. If you want to be a jerk and skip the intro, the "show" starts at 6:57. But...really? You don't have just short of 7 minutes to...

I had a different episode ready to go, but given the day's news I needed to talk about Brian Wilson. This isn't a typical episode. It's very emotional, my thoughts are somewhat random and cloudy, and it's a little raw. But I needed to do something to pay tribute to one of my all-time heroes. I hope you enjoy it. Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com

It has been a MONTH! But we're back! In this episode, I talk about a bunch of music I saw on Everybody's Live with John Mulaney, then I talk about the Karate Kid/Cobra Kai and Doctor Who. (I GO OFF when I'm talking about Doctor Who!) I had fun making it. Now it's your turn to have fun listening to it. Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db...