Empty Checking with Derek Brink

In this episode, I don't bother with segments and end up just ranting about Sammy Hagar, the government, my new laptop, and recording music. Why weren't there segments? Laziness. Why were those the topics? Shut up. Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com  

In this episode, I talk a lot about Mel Brooks and rank his 13 theatrically released movies, all in celebration of the Melcentennial--Mel Brooks' 100th birthday! I had a lot of fun with this one--and at one point or another, I felt EVERY emotion. I think it's a good listen. Now it's your turn to listen and agree! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email:...

In this episode, I talk about the biopic The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, then (mostly) new music from Neil Dimond, Modest Mouse, Paul McCartney, and the Beach Boys. I had fun. Maybe also that is a thing you could have. Fun, I mean. Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com *Please note that any and all ads that are not...

In this episode, I give my thoughts on the Fender Stratocaster debacle, then hopefully win you back by talking about new music from Devin Townsend, Foo Fighters, Violet Grohl, Bruno Mars, and Yungblud. I had fun with this one, and I get all worked up a couple of times. Hope you enjoy it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com  ...

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend Jim Ousley, who has a new comic book in progress called "The Agony of Stars," with a Kickstarter active RIGHT NOW (6/2/26). We talk about the comic, but also about everything else, with primary topics being being a creative person, process, and how real life bleeds into art. It's always a pleasure to talk to Jim, and I love that this episode just became a c...

In this episode, I'm getting back in the swing of doing the show by talking about the newest book by Tana French then reviewing two concerts I went to (on back to back nights)--David Byrne and Jason Isbell! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed making it! (Or more!) Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00...

After many delays, your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are finally BACK and this time we're counting down our Fab 15 Supergroups. This discussion solidified that we should really set ground-rules before making our lists...but it was still a lot of fun, and we hope you enjoy it! Dave's Spotify playlist will probably go up a little late because I didn't tell him when I was posting the episode and it's th...

Long story short, pending any serious storm damage, you should have the Fab 15 on Tuesday. Thanks for your patience!

UPDATE - My laptop is dead. I'm trying to revive it. If that doesn't work, I'll have to buy a new one. The show is currently trapped on it. I'll keep you posted. Sorry everybody.

I'm trying to at least do these again, when I'm struggling to upload an episode. At least that's something, right? Long story short, I'm editing a FAB 15 and you'll have it soon...but here's a brief update on what I've been doing in the interim. New episode by the weekend! I promise! (Barring anything unforeseen, of course!) Thanks for your patience, Checkmates.

In this episode, I talk about playing the banjo and the Beetlejuice movies. It's as classic as peanut butter and jelly. Biscuits and gravy. Peaches and Herb. Beetlejuice and banjos! It's a fun one. It turns out that I have a LOT of thoughts about Tim Burton. Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro...

This week's episode is a little bit short, but no less sweet than usual. It's a fun one where I complain about the weather, then talk about new releases from Mumford & Sons, Mitski, and Squeeze. I had fun with it. You might too! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com   Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 12:21 - Vagabond 12:52 - Music...

In this episode I talk about the theatrically released Muppet movies, in chronological order. Because everyone loves the Muppets! Enjoy! No time index, since it's just the one subject--and I should clarify that I am spoiling every movie, if you haven't seen them. Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com   Songs used in the show:...

In this episode, I talk about recent releases from Geese and Wednesday, then I talk about buying an Autoharp. That's the show! Enjoy! Sorry there's not a time index...but here are the links...although really there's not anything that corresponds to the Bandcamp page, since I'm just noodling...but whatever! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email:...

In this episode, I pay my respects to Catherine O'Hara, then talk about my newest (vintage) guitar and the long-since-canceled TV show Andy Richter Controls the Universe. I had fun with this one! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com   Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com   email: db@derekbrink.com   Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 6:41 - I Go* 7:11 - Rest in Peace Catherine O'Hara 25:18 - R...

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...