Empty Checking with Derek Brink

In this episode, I talk about music from Matt Berry, Mumford & Sons, Elton John & Brandi Carlile, and Coheed & Cambria. (Lots of "&" bands!) I also touch on the movie Empire Records (super hot topical!) and the latest episode of Doctor Who. It's a little shorter than a typical episode, but no less fun! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 8:24 - Music Break - Remember Me 8:53 - Recent Listening 9:10 - Matt Berry - Heard Noises 14:59 - Mumford & Sons - Rushmere 21:29 - Elton John & Brandi Carlile - Who Believes in Angels? 25:20 - Coheed & Cambria - The Father of Make Believe 29:59 - Music Break - Out from the Light 30:30 - Recent Viewing 30:50 - Empire Records 36:55 - Doctor Who 40:06 - Music Break - Born in this Town 40:37 - Outro, including me being mad at Liquid Death

IT HAS BEEN WAY TOO LONG!!! It's nice to be doing episodes again! In this one, I'm talking about a bunch of music that I haven't talked about yet, from Post Malone (surprise!), Patterson Hood, Jason Isbell, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Mould, Japanese Breakfast, and My Morning Jacket. It's a fun return to form, and I hope you dig it! So dig it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Email: db@derekbrink.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 12:23 - Music Break - I Hope You're Happy 12:53 - Recent Listening 12:53 - Post Malone - F-1 Trillion 14:48 - Patterson Hood - Exploding Trees and Airplane Screams 23:05 - Jason Isbell - Foxes in the Snow 31:47 - Rufus Wainwright - Dream Requiem 36:21 - Bob Mould - Here We Go Crazy 37:30 - Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women) 43:25 - My Morning Jacket - Is (Plus an interlude talking about my cat McGuire!) 48:17 - Music Break - Denouement 48:47 - Outro

TL;DR - Some good things happened and you'll get a new episode within the week! Thank you for your patience!

Just a quick update on where I've been and why! new episodes soon!!

Can you believe we're at episode #200?!? Very appropriate that it should be a Fab 15, and that the list should be "Songs with Numbers in Their Titles!" Sometimes things just line up. As always, your Papa Dave and Uncle Derek are bringing you the goods! This is a fun and somewhat concise talk, and I think you'll love it. Check it out! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com / http://fromthebrink.bandcamp.com  email: db@derekbrink.com MonDaves with Dave: http://davidbrink.home.blog  Spotify playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079  Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 5:21 - Explanation and rules for the list 11:24 - #15 - Seven Nation Army - White Stripes / Take Five - Dave Brubeck 15:34 - #14 - Two Princes - Spin Doctors / I'm the One - Descendents 22:10 - #13 - Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington Jr / One - U2 27:09 - #12 - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - Proclaimers / 2112 - Rush 31:58 - #11 - One - Three Dog Night / Thirteen - Big Star 37:22 - #10 - Still the One - Orleans / 5:15 - The Who 42:27 - #9 - 1999 - Prince / 25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago 48:02 - #8 - It Takes Two - Marvin Gaye / Five Years - David Bowie 53:04 - #7 - 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton / Two Princes 55:11 - #6 - Eight Days a Week - Beatles / Two of Us - Beatles 1:02:26 - #5 - 25 or 6 to 4 / I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) 1:02:42 - #4 - Two Tickets to Paradise - Eddie Money / 9 to 5 1:07:54 - #3 - 5:15 / Nothing Compares 2U - Sinead O'Connor/Prince 1:11:46 - #2 - 99 Luftballons - Nena (EXACT MATCH) 1:15:49 - #1 - 867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone (EXACT MATCH) 1:20:05 - Honorable Menions 1:32:10 - Music Break - Intervention (Blue Tattoo) 1:32:40 - Final List

In this episode I talk about music from Guided By Voices, Loudon Wainwright III, and the Twin Peaks soundtrack, then my recent viewing of (sigh) Cop Out and the SNL 50th Anniversary show. Then I talk about and play a new guitar I bought for a little bit. There's something for...well not everybody...but some people! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com Email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 11:21 - Music Break: Live Your Life 11:51 - Recent Listening 12:16 - Guided By Voices - Universe Room 15:36 - Loudon Wainwright III - Loudon Live in London 18:27 - Twin Peaks - Limited Event Series Soundtrack 23:23 - Music Break: Every Day 23:54 - Recent Viewing 24:25 - Cop Out 33:22 - SNL 50th Anniversary 51:56 - Music Break - Heaven Knows 52:27 - My new guitar! 1:06:15 - Music Break: Those Things 1:06:45 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about some art on my walls and some music in my speakers! I touch on cool art from local artists Sarah Kelly and Dan Zettwoch then music from Sharon Van Etten, Flogging Molly (sorta), Lambrini Girls, and I spend a LONG time talking about the new Dream Theater album. Dig it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 11:52 - Music Break: Nobody Else 12:24 - Cherokee Print Bazaar Purchases 32:08 - Music Break: Everybody Shut Up 32:39 - Recent Listening: 33:23 - Sharon Van Etten - Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory 36:05 - Flogging Molly - GET WELL SOON, DAVE KING 38:27 - Lambrini Girls - Who Let the Dogs Out 41:05 - Dream Theater - Parasomnia 1:06:49 - Music Break: Always 1:07:19 - Outro

In this episode, I mostly just talk about The Get Up Kids, because I saw them in concert last week. I had fun with this one. I hope you do, too! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 13:31 - Music Break - TralfamadOverture 14:02 - The Get Up Kids 49:18 - Music Break - If It's Raining 49:49 - Outro

It's the first new episode of the year! And we're starting off on a cheery foot by paying tribute to David Lynch, Tony Slattery, and Bob Uecker...but then we talk about In & Out, The 4:30 Movie, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Moonage Daydream. I think you'll like it, if you'll take the time. Thanks! blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro Music Break: Losing Sleep Tributes: Tony Slattery David Lynch Bob Uecker Music Break: Absent Friends Movies: In & Out The 4:30 Movie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Moonage Daydream Music Break: Chekhov's Rights Outro

SMALL delay in the upload! Here's my apology. real episode coming VERY soon!

A quick apology for not having a new episode yet, and also I bid farewell to British Comedian Tony Slattery.

Are you at one of those New Year's Eve get-togethers where you might as well pop in your ear buds and listen to a podcast? Well your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave have you covered! Just under the wire, we're counting down our FAB 15 Albums of 2024! So either put down that glass of champagne or make it a double, and enjoy our nonsense for a while! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com  Email: db@derekbrink.com  Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079  Dave's Blog: http://davidbrink.home.blog   Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com  Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 6:30 - The topic at hand: Fab 15 Albums of 2024 11:38 - Rules for this list 12:54 - The FAB 15! 12:54 - #15 18:17 - #14 26:15 - #13 33:59 - #12 40:28 - #11 48:49 - #10 54:49 - #9 1:00:18 - #8 1:07:31 - #7 1:12:21 - #6 1:19:37 - #5 1:26:29 - #4 1:32:41 - #3 1:36:44 - #2 1:41:06 - #1 1:43:21 - Honorable Mentions 1:53:43 - Working on a final 15, and the TERRIFIC TEN! 1:56:46 - A coin toss! And then adding more stuff... 1:59:01 - ANOTHER coin toss! and adding the last pick... 1:59:58 - The Final 15.

This episode is pretty off the cuff and touches on everything from buying new pillows to Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Lord of the Rings, a couple Albert Brooks movies, and Van Halen. So...there! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com I think the time index might be a little off this week. I had to make some weird corrections that I don't usually have to worry about. So sorry if that's wrong...but there ya' go. 0:00 - Intro 8:27 - This Is Your Christmas 8:57 - Pillows, Record Store Day, and Van Halen 21:38 - O Holy Night 22:08 - Recent Watching 22:08 - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles 29:22 - Lord of the Rings 39:27 - Real Life 43:11 - Mother 46:21 - A Promise Worth Keeping 46:51 - Outro

What's that? You're stuck in a house having a meal with people you'd rather avoid and need something to be thankful for? Well bust out those ear buds and be thankful that your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave have a new FAB 15 for you! This week we're counting down our FAB 15 Band of the 1990s! It was a fun talk and I think you'll have a good time either learning about or re-living a really interesting time in music history, and maybe you'll hear a few names you'll want to check out. Dig it on your podcast app of choice or at the link in the comments! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com  Dave's Blog: http://davidbrink.home.blog Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079 Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 5:20 - On the Subject of the 1990s 15:19 - Rules for the List 20:15 - THE LIST 20:15 - #15 25:37 - #14 32:20 - #13 42:27 - #12 51:31 - #11 1:05:26 - #10 1:05:36 - #9 1:14:26 - #8 1:19:58 - #7 1:28:49 - #6 1:37:03 - #5 1:41:19 - #4 1:45:53 - #3 1:49:48 - #2/#1 1:59:01 - Honorable Mentions 2:04:09 - Picking a Final 15 and an agreed #1 (Including an excerpt of "Sleepin In" by Blue Tattoo.)

In this episode, we talk about a ton of music from MC5, The Coward Brothers, The Cure, High on Fire, Iron & Wine, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and Kim Deal. I touch on some other stuff, too...but that's most of it. Welcome back to the show being normal, even if other stuff isn't! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 10:39 - I Wanna Write Songs for You 11:09 - Music Reviews 12:32 - MC5 - Heavy Lifting 16:50 - The Coward Brothers 21:22 - The Cure - Songs of a Lost World 24:46 - High on Fire 29:21 - Iron & Wine - Light Verse 36:01 - The Jesus and Mary Chain - Glasgow Eyes 37:40 - Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More 43:20 - Safari 43:50 - Outro Thanks for your support!

This IS NOT a standard episode of Empty Checking. If you are unfamiliar with the show, this is not a good starting point. This upload is my reaction to the recent election in America and also includes my thoughts on the Christian Church and its relationship to politics. This is VERY FAR REMOVED from the typical, fun nature of this show. But I felt like it needed to be said and I needed to make my position clear, as the person behind this podcast. If you want to skip this one, I more than understand. But I think there are probably some of you who really need to hear it. Also, I've been suffering from walking pneumonia and you can definitely hear that in my voice in this upload. Sorry about all the inhaling that gets more and more pronounced as the talk goes on. Thanks. -Uncle Derek

I'm taking a week off from full episodes, but I wanted to take a moment to encourage you to VOTE and make the sane choices, and also let you know what's getting me through the stress of this week. Here's hoping the next upload will be a HAPPY one! Take care of yourself.

This episode goes a lot of sleep-deprived directions in under an hour. That's fun, right? I definitely talk about the passing of Teri Garr, then music from Matthew Sweet (and his current medical issues), Justin Rutledge, Devin Townsend, Japandroids, and The Pixies. I round it out by talking about the Rocky Horror Show video game and Lost in America. It's kinda nuts, but I think you'll enjoy it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com email: db@derekbrink.com Matthew Sweet's GoFund Me Time Index: 0:00 - Intro (Including discussion of Teri Garr's passing.) 14:13 - I Hope You're Happy 14:43 - Music Releases (Including Matthew Sweet, Justin Rutledge, Devin Townsend, Japandroids, and Pixies. Sorry I didn't break the time index down further. I'm tired.) 32:13 - Useless 32:43 - Lost In America and the Rocky Horror Show video game. 39:50 - That Weekend (Blue Tattoo) 40:20 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about really old Albert Brooks movies, a new documentary on The Tragically Hip, and (mostly) new music releases from Godspeed You Black Emperor, James and the Shame, Judas Priest, The Linda Lindas, and Pete Townshend. It's a fun one, if you ask me, but I'm the one who recorded it, so who can say? Maybe YOU if you listen to it! Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 6:27 - Live Your Life 6:57 - Recent Watching 7:50 - Defending Your Life 14:47 - Broadcast News 20:16 - The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal 35:12 - Every Day 35:42 - Music Releases 35:42 - Godspeed You Black Emperor - No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead 39:50 - Pete Townshend Live Box Set (That's probably not the name of it, but whatever.) 43:10 - James and the Shame - Nothing Left to Love 45:28 - Judas Priest - Invincible Shield 48:22 - The Linda Lindas - No Obligation 52:02 - Heaven Knows 52:32 - Outro (including talk of Oktoberfest and Ren Faires!)

In this episode about 50% of the things I talk about aren't in the photo because that's how streaming media works! But I talk about my fountain pen collection, the Mr. McMahon documentary, The Grand Tour, Only Murders in the Building, Frasier (briefly), and music from Drive-By Truckers, Alex Lifeson, David Gilmour, Jack White, Nick Lowe, and The Heavy Heavy. I got a lot of stuff into this one! Check it out! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com FREE Music: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro, including my probably slightly bad take on Dave Grohl. 8:32 - Losing Sleep 9:02 - Fountain Pens! 19:02 - Slainte 19:32 - Recent Watching/Podcasts (Including Mr. McMahon, The Grand Tour, Only Murders in the Building, Frasier, and Pod Meets World 33:40 - Safari 34:10 - Recent Listening (Including Drive-By Truckers, Alex Lifeson, David Gilmour, Jack White, Nick Lowe, and The Heavy Heavy 49:04 - Where You Are Outro including updates on my chair, a quote from Jim Henson, and more.

I hope you're enjoying the Fab 15 Songs About Rain, or that you'll listen soon if you haven't yet. But I needed to take a moment to acknowledge the death of Kris Kristofferson, so I'm uploading this brief message. Thanks. -Uncle Derek

In this episode, your Papa Dave and Uncle Derek are picking out Fab 15 Songs About Rain! It's sort of an Autumnal episode and it's a lot of fun. Check it out! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com  Dave's Blog: http://davidbrink.home.blog Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079 0:00 - Intro, including discussion of list-making, rules for this list, links, and the last time Dave rode a horse. 12:15 - The List Begins 12:15 - #15 15:41 - #14 21:14 - #13 25:56 - #12 31:40 - #11 36:38 - #10 42:37 - #9 44:37 - #8 51:01 - #7 56:14 - #6 1:03:29 - #5 1:06:22 - #4 1:09:22 - #3 1:12:16 - #2 1:16:54 - #1 1:22:18 - Honorable Mentions 1:39:08 - The Final 15 1:43:26 - Picking #1 1:45:57 - Confirmed Final List and outro

In this episode I talk about music from Jason Isbell, John Craigie, and Nick Cave. Then I also talk about Boy/Pod Meets World, Little Shop of Horrors, and the present season of Only Murders in the Building. Plus some of my usual nonsense. It's a fun one! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com Email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 12:55 - All My Days 13:25 - Recent Music Things 13:25 - Jason Isbell in St. Louis 21:16 - John Craigie - Pagan Church 24:59 - Nick Cave - Wild God 30:57 - Forever Home 31:27 - Recent Watching 31:27 - Boy Meets World/Pod Meets World 41:26 - Little Shop of Horrors 48:25 - Only Murders in the Building Season 4 (SPOILERS!) 56:39 - You Only Hurt the Ones You Love 57:09 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about music from Mr. Big and Talking Heads. I also talk about So I Married and Axe Murderer, The Drew Carey Show, and Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me. I also learn that there's about to be a new Godspeed You Black Emperor album in real time and get excited about it. It's kinda all over the place. Enjoy! Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 9:37 - Losing Sleep 10:07 - Mr. Big - Ten 14:57 - Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense 21:13 - I Wanna Write Songs For You 21:43 - The Drew Carey Show 28:34 - So I Married and Axe Murderer 33.50 - Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me 38:40 - Jean Jacket 39:10 - Outro

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 (You guessed it! You can't download it yet! WHOO!) 51:58 - Outro

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 - BECAUSE HE'S AN AMERICAN TREASURE 1:22:11 - Honorable Mentions 1:31:09 - Musical Break - Intervention 1:31:39 - The final list, choosing #1, and loose ends...

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!

In this episode, I play a little catch-up by talking about the Barbie movie, and recent music from Tears for Fears, Devin Townsend, Ed Sheeran, and Peter Gabriel (at length). I had fun making this one. Maybe you'll have fun hearing it!  Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com  email: db@derekbrink.com  Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 11:10 - Lectio Divina 11:40 - Barbie: The Movie 27:59 - Intervention 28:30 - Music: The Music! 28:30 - Tears for Fears - The Tipping Point 35:30 - Devin Townsend - Nightwork 42:04 - Ed Sheeran - Autumn Variations 46:50 - Peter Gabriel - i/o 59:30 - Absent Friends 60:00 - Outro

In this episode I talk about Doctor Who, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Madison Greene, and some other stuff. It's a shorter episode, but I crammed in a lot of fun. Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com New Bandcamp talked about in the show: http://fromthebrink.bandcamp.com (All of the songs in this episode are from this page!) Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 10:55 - Fightin' Drunk (Blue Tattoo) 11:25 - RIP Melissa Blair 19:11 - Velvet Elvis (Derek Brink) 19:41 - Doctor Who 29:22 - Downtime (Uncle Dick) 29:52 - Super Mario Bros Wonder 38:52 - Sister Myrtle (Blue Tattoo) 39:22 - Outro

Something dumb happened with my software and it's going to be quicker to re-record the episode than to fix it. So... Sorry. I'll get a new, full episode up later this week (probably). Thanks for your patience!

Hi Checkmates! No new episode this week, but you do get about an 8-minute promo for a new ABSOLUTELY FREE Bandcamp page of my musical pre-history! All my bands from 1990 to now have recordings available for FREE (or pay what you want) at http://fromthebrink.bandcamp.com! Check it out! (My solo albums at derekbrink.bandcamp.com will still remain active there, btw. This is different.)

In this episode of the Fab 15, your Uncle Derek and Papa Dave are counting down our Fab 15 albums of 2023! This one was a FAST turnaround, so it's a little longer than usual, but with the holidays this week and next week, maybe some of you need that. It was a really fun talk, and we hope you'll enjoy it, and maybe walk away with a few ideas of how to spend your Christmas money! Enjoy! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com  email: db@derekbrink.com  Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079  Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 14:15 - #15 - Follow your bliss. 27:03 - #14 - In which I needed a sandwich. 32:45 - #13 - Say "boom box" again... 40:55 - #12 - Music evolves and changes with you. (Just FYI.) 53:49 - #11 - All ten middle-fingers... 1:01:04 - #10 - I don't know if I trust those sites, they're not sponsoring my show. 1:06:47 - #9 - Pronunciation problems begin. 1:20:57 - #8 - You ****in' grape. 1:41:42 - #7 - A little bit of a re-run. 1:47:56 - #6 - Intrigued and scarred. 1:56:26 - #5 - Strigid. 2:10:59 - #4 - Move on. Next. 2:11:18 - #3 - "Probably" Derek's number one. 2:23:25 - #2 - And Dave's #1. And Derek's #1. It all bled together. 2:36:55 - What we had in common. (No final list.) 2:38:00 - Honorable Mentions/Outro

In this episode I talk about Doctor Who, Friends, Glen Hansard, Lisa O'Neill, and Neil Young, amidst other things, including a desperately meowing McGuire... It's a fun one! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro (Including tying up some loose ends on Shane MacGowan.) 16:22 - Born in this Town 16:52 - Recent watching 17:25 - Friends 24:52 - Doctor Who 43:23 - Church Girls 43:53 - Music Releases 44:18 - Glen Hansard - All That Was East is West of Me Now 53:19 - Lisa O'Neill - All of this is Chance 59:53 - Neil Young - Before and After 1:04:29 - Outlaw 1:05:00 - Outro

In this episode, I talk about Norman Lear, Shane MacGowan, Dolly Parton, The Struts, The National, Guided By Voices, Tenacious D, KISS, and a whole bunch of stuff! Thanks for waiting on it! Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com email: db@derekbrink.com Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 14:59 - Eliot's Benediction 15:30 - RIP Norman Lear 22:33 - RIP Shane MacGowan 40:35 - Absent Friends 41:05 - Music Releases 56:34 - Afraid 57:04 - Outro