Empty Checking with Derek Brink

This episode has some good stuff in it! I talk at length about the career of Norm Macdonald in response to an e-mail from a fan. Then I talk about music from Sheryl Crow, David Crosby, Metallica, and the Spice Girls. (You read that right.) And whatever else!

Remember to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and e-mail me with your questions/comments at [email protected]. Thanks as always!

Time index:

0:00 - Intro

10:12 - Listener Mail/The Career of Norm Macdonald

31:32 - Music break - Useless

32:03 - New (and old!) releases:

Sheryl Crow - Live at the Ryman (and More!) - 32:45

David Crosby - For Free - 39:37

Metallica - Black Album 30th Anniversary - 45:08

Spice Girls - Spice (25th Anniversary!) - 54:09

59:52 - Music Break - The Party Years

1:00:23 - Outro

In this episode I play my album "Almost Moving Backwards" in its entirety and talk over it so you can't really enjoy it. I talk about the influences on the album and cover some personal stuff too. IF this type of episode isn't your thing, we'll be back to normal next week. But in the meantime, I hope you have fun with it. Oh, and there are more photos on the blog than I said there would be, so please visit http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for more stuff! I even put a couple things up there that didn't come up in the show! Also remember to e-mail me your questions and comments at [email protected].

And download the album here: https://derekbrink.bandcamp.com/album/almost-moving-backwards

Here's how the time breaks down:

0:00 - Intro

Drink along with Derek! - 2:25

Billie Eilish follow-up; and e-mail from D.F.

8:53 - Almost Moving Backwards Commentary

Live Your Life - 8:53

Then and Again - 12:40

Rebecca - 18:41

After the Storm - 23:22

Every Day - 25:41

Everybody's Wrong - 29:43

Some People Never Change - 24:17

Another Protest Song - 36:50

Danielle - 40:25

Heaven Knows - 44:53

Those Things - 50:51

Futile - 53:44

58:04 - Outro

As always, thanks for your support, Checkmates!

I spend about 20 minutes bidding farewell to one of our funniest comedians. Norm Macdonald was special. I am very sad that he's gone.

This episode sees me struggle to pronounce things more than usual while talking about Billie Eilish, Japanese Breakfast, Iron Maiden, The Grand Tour, and more! I had fun, anyway! Maybe you will also!

Check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and e-mail me with you questions and objections at [email protected]!

Here's how the time shakes out:

0:00 - Intro, including a mention of the passing of Daffney Unger.

17:27 - Music Break - Born In This Town

17:57 - Music Stuff!

Billie Eilish - 23:06

Japanese Breakfast - 29:21

Iron Maiden - 35:23

47:32 - Music Break - Lectio Divina

48:02 - Outro and more!

Talk of The Grand Tour - 48:38

Talking about sushi for some reason - 55:13

Next time on Empty Checking! - 59:32

Thanks for your support!

This one's probably a tough listen. Trigger warnings for discussion of depression and suicide. This upload is an all-too-brief tribute to wrestling personality Daffney Unger, who passed away apparently by her own hand. The long and short of it is PLEASE REACH OUT if you need to. Just needed to say something. This was a horrible loss and it hit me hard.

In this episode I talk about a bunch of stuff that's been on my mind from the world of music. I also drink too much Sherry and get really angry at Eric Clapton. (There's maybe a minor trigger warning, as I point out that Eric volunteered the information that he raped his first wife in an interview from 1999). But otherwise it's fun!

Check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for photos and more stuff. E-mail me with your questions and comments at [email protected] and maybe I'll read whatever name you provide to me on the air sometime if I feel like it!

Here's the breakdown:

0:00 - Intro, including a brief summary of the sad moments of the life of Kelsey Grammar and also an email from a Checkmate named Sarah!

11:10 - Music Break - After the Storm

11:40 - Musical Musings (Mostly!)

RIP Dusty Hill (14:22)

RIP Charlie Watts (21:23)

Eric Clapton is a dumb jerk (30:08)

Neil Young is the Anti-Clapton (37:06)

The Who's "Who's Next" is 50 years old! (42:28)

Pearl Jam's "Ten" is 30! (46:29)

Pearl Jam's "No Code" is also 15! (51:10)

And...also I talk about the Spice Girls... (52:25)

55:41 - Music Break - Some People Never Change

56:11 - Outro

Thanks for your support!

In this episode I talk about the movies of Wes Anderson. I cover all 9 that are currently out, alongside some personal stuff...etc... You know the format of the show by now! (Fair warning, spoilers abound for each movie.)

Check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for photos and more stuff! Feel free to e-mail your questions and comments to [email protected]! 

Here's how the times break down.

0:00 - Intro

10:05 - Music Break - If I'd Known You

10:32 - General Comments on Wes Anderson and how I became a fan.

22:36 - Bottle Rocket

26:24 - Rushmore

32:17 - The Royal Tenenbaums

40:25 - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

48:47 - The Darjeeling Limited

53:44 - Fantastic Mr. Fox

57:47 - Moonrise Kingdom

1:02:26 - The Grand Budapest Hotel

1:10:00 - Isle of Dogs - And a side discussion of Asian representation.

1:29:53 - Final Thoughts on Wes Anderson

1:33:32 - Music Break - Heaven Knows

1:34:03 - Outro

Thanks for your support!

We did it, kids! We made it to 100 episodes! This one is completely fan-driven. I just sit and address listener mail for the whole episode. It was fun. I talked about wine, comics, wrestling, swearing, a recent twitter fight, and if I prefer the Beatles or the Stones, among other things.

In the episode I mention that my buddy (and one-time podcast guest) Jim Ousley has a Kickstarter going for his newest comic book venture. Back The Atonement Bell at this link. Or you can pick up some back issues of Butcher Queen here, or the volume 1 trade here.

Otherwise, thanks for 100 episodes! Check out the blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for pictures and more stuff!

Here's the time index:

0:00 - Intro

9:27 - Music Break - Live Your Life

9:58 - Emily asks about alcohol.

18:40 - Music Break - Every Day

19:09 - Jack N asks about comic books.

27:53 - Music Break - The Party Years

28:24 - Shannon asks about wrestling.

41:48 - Music Break - Bullshit

42:20 - "Percy" asks about cussing.

47:16 - Music Break - Danielle

47:46 - A different Danielle requests more theme shows.

54:16 - Music Break - Heaven Knows

54:48 - Rick asks about a recent Twitter fight.

1:11:48 - Music Break - Midlife Suicide

1:12:19 - Dr. Poop asks rock and roll questions.

1:21:51 - Music Break - Useless

1:21:51 - Outro

A quick update on what the hell happened and why episode #100 isn't up yet. short version: Sorry!