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!

As mentioned in the last episode, no new episode this week, but here's a quick reminder to send in your emails to [email protected] for episode #100! It'll be recorded and uploaded next weekend so you've got a *little* time...but it's running out quick!

God's holy trousers! There's a new episode of Empty Checking! In this long-awaited return you're getting a half-year report on music that has come out in 2021 and also my review of a couple books by Tatiana de Rosnay. This is episode #99, which means episode #100 is up next! I'm taking two weeks between because I want to get some listener mail in to read on the show and I want to give you plenty of time to send it in to [email protected] (or to comment on the Podbean page or at the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com). Thanks so much for your patience and support. It's good to be back!

In this 8 minute almost-episode I explain that my computer isn't letting me into my account but my phone is. Who knows? I also babble about The Tragically Hip and Gord Downie for a little while. So we're getting close! :)

Talk to you soon!