Episodes

8 hours ago
8 hours ago
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 read in my voice are chosen at the discretion of the site hosting this podcast and/or your individual player. I do not select or approve any ads, nor do I financially benefit from them.
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 7:34 - Hands
- 8:01 - The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
- 27:49 - Being There
- 28:19 - Music Releases
- 28:19 - The Beach Boys - The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights
- 33:28 - Modest Mouse - An Eraser and a Maze
- 38:23 - Neil Diamond - Wild at Heart
- 41:32 - Paul McCartney - The Boys of Dungeon Lane
- 46:19 - Coming Storm
- 46:50 - Outro

Sunday Jun 14, 2026
Episode 231 - Shooting Fish Inside of Other Fish
Sunday Jun 14, 2026
Sunday Jun 14, 2026
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
Time Index:
- 0:00 - Intro
- 7:50 - You and You Alone
- 8:21 - The Fender Strat Situation
- 28:32 - Everything Good
- 29:04 - Music Reviews
- 29:37 - Devin Townsend - The Moth
- 37:25 - Foo Fighters - Your Favorite Toy
- 41:20 - Violet Grohl - Be Sweet to Me
- 44:34 - Bruno Mars - The Romantic
- 48:39 - Yungblud - Idols Complete
- 56:07 - Please
- 56:39 - Outro
*Please note that any and all ads that are not read in my voice are chosen at the discretion of the site hosting this podcast and/or your individual player. I do not select or approve any ads, nor do I financially benefit from them.

Tuesday Jun 02, 2026
Episode 230 - Jim Ousley and The Agony of Stars
Tuesday Jun 02, 2026
Tuesday Jun 02, 2026
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 conversation that could've happened without the microphones. I think you'll like it a lot too!
Please consider being a part of funding "The Agony of Stars" here: The Agony of Stars by Jim Ousley — Kickstarter
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com

Monday May 18, 2026
Episode 229 - Remembering How to Do the Show
Monday May 18, 2026
Monday May 18, 2026
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 - Intro
- 9:56 - Happy Now
- 10:27 - Tana French: The Keeper
- 20:59 - That Weekend (Blue Tattoo)
- 21:31 - David Byrne and Jason Isbell
- 21:31 - David Byrne
- 51:16 - Jason Isbell
- 1:04:00 - Denouement
- 1:04:32 - Outro, including a follow=up on my tribute to Michael Feldman, back in November

Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Episode 228 - the Fab 15 Supergroups
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
Wednesday Apr 29, 2026
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 the middle of a workday. But hey!
Blog: http://emptychecking.blogspot.com
Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com
Spotify Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/317eypfciiajkyay2kxloz3kreoa?si=f046115ad0514079
Time Index:
0:00 - Intro
13:09 - The List Begins
13:09 - #15
19:12 - #14
24:19 - #13
31:49 - #12
40:16 - #11
44:00 - #10
50:36 - #9
58:29 - #8
1:06:39 - #7
1:12:26 - #6
1:15:03 - #5
1:21:19 - #4
1:26:44 - #3
1:33:57 - #2
1:42:25 - #1
1:43:03 - Honorable Mentions
1:59:49 - Intervention
2:00:19 - The Final 15 and choosing a #1.

Sunday Apr 26, 2026
EC Update 4-26-26.m4a
Sunday Apr 26, 2026
Sunday Apr 26, 2026
Long story short, pending any serious storm damage, you should have the Fab 15 on Tuesday. Thanks for your patience!

Saturday Apr 18, 2026
EC Update 4-18-26.m4a
Saturday Apr 18, 2026
Saturday Apr 18, 2026
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.

Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
EC Update 4-14-26.m4a
Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
Tuesday Apr 14, 2026
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.

Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Episode 227 - On a Horse, Learning to Play the Banjo
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
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
- 6:40 - Banjo Break #1 - 5 String Banjo
- 7:11 - Talkin' Banjos!
- 24:30 - Banjo Break #2 - Plectrum Banjo
- 25:00 - Yellin' about Beetlejuice...
- 31:22 - Beetlejuice
- 42:33 - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- 1:08:35 - Banjo Break #3 - Tenor Banjo
- 1:09:06 - Outro

Sunday Mar 22, 2026
Episode 226 - I Guess We're Doing Hot Picks Now
Sunday Mar 22, 2026
Sunday Mar 22, 2026
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 Reviews
- 31:23 - Slainte
- 31:53 - Outro

