Empty Checking with Derek Brink

Episode 28 - Shipping Issues

Check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for lots and lots of photos this week! Sorry this is a week late going up, but I was sick earlier in the week and everything's off schedule. Kept it kind of short this week because my voice is going out thanks to being sick, too. But I talked about a lot! Subjects covered include Loot Crate's Star Trek Mission Crate, the pro-wrestlers shown on the t-shirts in the thumbnail, and music from The Decemberists, Snow Patrol, and Pearl Jam, plus whatever else comes to mind. Stop reading this! Click the thing! Time Index: 0:00 - Intro 3:34 - Music Break 1 - "You and Your Perfect Life" from my "Something to Look Forward to" album. 4:06 - My critique of the Star Trek Mission Crate and Loot Crate in general. 13:07 - Music Break 2 - "Coming Storm" from my "Things I Meant to Say" album. 13:36 - I discuss some pro-wrestling t-shirts I bought and why I bought them. 25:56 - Music Break 3 - "Not Okay" from my "Trigger Warnings and Sunshine" album. 26:30 - I talk about music from Snow Patrol, The Decemberists, a little bit of Irish stuff, and Pearl Jam. 35:55 - Music Break 4 - "The Best" from my "Ink-Stained Fingers" album. 36:25 - Outro Thanks for your support!

Episode 27 - The Kevin Smith Episode

This week's episode is a tribute to Writer/Director/Etc Kevin Smith, in light of his near "widow maker" heart attack earlier this week. That's all we're doing, so this is a very short description! Check out the accompanying blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com!

Episode 26 - This Episode Would Look Fantastic in Sequins

Be sure to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com! On this week's episode I mostly just talk about the Olympics and my love of Rufus Wainwright, including my thoughts about his show in St. Louis on February 16. I also touch on a few personal things and complain about stuff. The usual. But this episode ended up meaning a lot to me, so I hope you enjoy it! Time indexes: 0:00 - Introduction and personal stuff. 9:48 - Music Break 1 - "Earned" from my "Things I Meant to Say" album. 10:21 - Olympics-talk... 23:19 - Music Break 2 - "Angel" off of my "Out from the Light" album. 23:50 - My thoughts on Rufus Wainwright, his show in St. Louis last week, and his impact on my life. It gets a little personal. 59:08 - "Sometimes You Say Goodbye" from my "Sorry, I Didn't Mean to Shout" album. 59:40 - Outro stuff. I briefly touch on wrestling, my disappointment in LootCrate, and my brother's new dog. Then I flounder trying to figure out howto say goodbye. Thanks for your support!

Episode 25 - Nice to Be on the Podium

Check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com! On this week's episode I talk about what I've seen so far from the Winter Olympics, then discuss music from Mr. Big (including an RIP to Pat Torpey), Roxy Music, Big Star, and AC Newman. After that, I talk about this week's happenings in the WWE. Also some other stuff. It's a fun one. Time indexes: 0:00 - Intro Stuff/State of the Podcast 6:10 - Music Break 1 - "In My Heart" from my "Out from the Light" album. 6:40 - Olympics!!! 17:53 - Music Break 2 - "Simple Things" from my "Things I Meant to Say" album. 12:23 - Music stuff (with a tribute to Pat Torpey at the top) 38:46 - Music Break 3 - "Everything" from my "Grounds" album. 39:17 - This week in the WWE. Including the revelation that I'm not a fan of the Undertaker. 55:10 - Music Break 4 - "Live Your Life" from my "Sorry, I Didn't Mean to Shout" release. 55:30 - Outro and touching on some loose ends.

Episode 24 - I Know A Lot About Kelsey Grammer (And So Can You!)

Be sure to check out the accompanying blog at http://emptychecking/blogspot.com for more stuff! This one's all over the place. I talk about the Superbowl and tell a story about how I thought Prince died almost 20 years before he did. I pay tribute to John Mahoney and that descends into talking about all the terrible things that have happened to Kelsey Grammer over the years. I talk a little about my love of The Office. Then I also get into talking about playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild, poorly explain what amiibos do, and stuff like that... Of course, there's talk about the WWE as well. And I talk about new music from Novo Amor/Ed Tullett. All that, plus a bunch of other stuff! Here are the times for those who wish to skip stuff: 0:00 - Opening remarks and intro music. 3:15 - Music Break 1 - "What Matters Most" off of my "Something to Look Forward To" album. 3:46 - Me pretending to know about football and talking about the Superbowl. (Including a story about how I thought Prince died in 1997 at the 11:48 mark.) 19:06 - Tribute to John Mahoney and a weirdly long examination of my encyclopedic knowledge of the misfortunes that have befallen Kelsey Grammer. 27:22 - I talk about how I like The Office a little. 30:27 - Music Break 2 - "Born in This Town" from my "Out from the Light" album. 30:57 - Gaming talk, with particular emphasis on Zelda: Breath of the Wild 42:57 - Music Break 3 - "El Santo Frente a la Muerte!" from the "Sorry, I Didn't Mean to Shout" release. 43:39 - This week in the WWE. 58:11 - Music Break 4 - "Being There" from the "Things I Meant to Say" album, featuring background vocals by Becky Outlaw, who has just a ridiculously cool last name. 58:43 - Music talk, including my thoughts on "Heiress" by Novo Amor and Ed Tullett 1:07:03 - Outro Music Thanks for your support!

Episode 23 - Wireless and Rechargeable

Be sure to check out the accompanying blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com. Shorter episode this week. I talk a little bit about my grandma to open things up. Next, I talk a bunch about the WWE and the arrival of Rowdy Ronda Rousey. Afterward, I discuss music including the new album from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club ("Wrong Creatures") alongside mentioning that my current listening is Annie Lennox and Rush, then I get excited about the Tragically Hip putting out a BluRay and Rufus Wainwright touring. I also talk about stuff I've got on order, but that hasn't arrived yet, including the oft-delayed Star Trek Mission Crate, a couple of cool t-shirts, and something of an accidentally more intimate nature. It's a shorter episode, but a fun one. Thanks for listening! Time index: 0:00 - Intro and music 2:54 - Talkin' 'bout Grandma 8:52 - Music Break #1 - "Remember Me" from my "Sorry I Didn't Mean to Shout" release. 9:27 - WWE Wrestling Recap, including me being VERY excited about Ronda Rousey! 19:53 - Music Break #2 - The outro of "Good Things" off of my "Out from the Light" record. 20:22 - Music-talk, including the new album by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, my current listening--Annie Lennox and Rush, me being excited about the Tragically Hip's last gig being on Blu Ray, and a little bit of me being excited that Rufus Wainwright is coming to town. 29:25 - Music Break #3 - Part of "The Best" from my "Ink-Stained Fingers" album. 29:53 - Other stuff I ordered, including me bitching about Loot Crate delaying the Star Trek Mission Crate, some talk of t-shirts...and something a little more intimate... 44:19 - Music Break #4 - Chorus of "Not Okay" from the "Trigger Warnings and Sunshine" album. 44:55 - Outro, including some talk of darts and the retirement of the great Phil Taylor.

Episode 22 - Mashed Potatoes and Heavy Narcotics

This week's kind of a random show--I felt like I had to cram two weeks into one! I give a general update on my health, post dental surgery, talk about my CD collection, bemoan the closing of a music store I haven't been to in 15 years, celebrate the 20th anniversary of Spice World, talk about local food I enjoy, and a whole bunch of other stuff at the top of the show. I also talk about a new CD release from St. Louis band Grace Basement (spoiler alert: BUY IT). Then I bid farewell to Dolores O'Riordan and also to Neil Diamond (who's still alive, but not at all well). Then I talk about Fuller House, Red Dwarf, and pro-wrestling. Weird episode--which is fun for me! Here's the outline: 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - General health and personal update. 4:06 - Bidding farewell to Dale's Music 7:26 - Stuff I've eaten around town. 10:15 - Talkin' 'bout my CD collection... 12:31 - THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPICE WORLD!!! 16:12 - Music Break #1 - Part of "Napalm" off of my album "Something to Look Forward To..." 16:42 - Music Stuff, including a review of Grace Basement's "Mississippi Nights," a RIP to Dolores O'Riordan, and my well-wishes to Neil Diamond. 33:49 - Music Break #2 - "Scars" from the "Things I Meant to Say" album. 34:17 - TV Stuff including reviews of Fuller House, Red Dwarf Series XII, and WWE Wrestling (including my thoughts on the 25th anniversary of Monday Night Raw). The wrestling stuff starts at 45:37. 1:02:39 - Music Break #3 - "Give It Up" from "Ink-Stained Fingers" 1:03:10 - Outro Stuff... Thanks again! Good to be back this week!

Episode 21 - The David Bowie Episode

On this week's episode, all I do is talk about David Bowie and what he means to me for an hour, in recognition of the second anniversary of his death. Check out the blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for lots more on this one!

Episode 20 - And He Shall Be Kevin

Be sure to check out the accompanying blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for links and photos referenced in the show. We cover a lot of ground this week, starting with bidding farewell to Rose Marie. I also discuss my "current listening" of Elton John, The Talking Heads, and Motorhead, then recommend my favorite record store in St. Louis and a cool local radio show. I talk about my week's worth of playing on the Nintendo Switch and close out by talking wrestling and a couple other things. Check out the time indexes below for more info! 0:00 - Introduction, including new years wishes and stuff. 5:57 - Musical Break #1: A clip of "Beautiful Disaster" from my "Trigger Warnings & Sunshine" Album. 6:37 - Rest in Peace, Rose Marie 15:27 - Musical Break #2: A clip of "Coming Storm" from my "Things I Meant to Say" album. 16:06 - Current Listening: Elton John, Talking Heads, Motorhead, and recommendations of Salt & Smoke BBQ, Vintage Vinyl, and Night Grooves with Orlandez. 30:02 - Musical Break #3: A clip of "Please" from my "Out from the Light" album. 30:42 - Nintendo Switch Games, including (briefly) Mario Odyssey, WWE 2K18, and Shovel Knight 40:10 - Musical Break #4: A clip of "Last Folk Singers" from my "Sorry, I Didn't Mean to Shout" release. 40:50 - This week in WWE Wrestling. 56:13 - Musical Break #5: A clip of "You and Your Perfect Life" from the "Something to Look Forward To" album. 57:04 - Closing thoughts, including a little talk about my teeth and memories of getting gassed with Mom.

Episode 19 - I Have a Perfect Fourth Doctor Cosplay in My Closet By Accident

On this week's show, we keep it a little bit briefer than in recent episodes (you're welcome!) and talk about the Nintendo Switch, music from Vic Chesnutt, Doctor Who, and my recommendation of where to buy your pottery. If I don't talk to you before then (and I won't!) please have a happy and safe New Year! Be sure to visit the companion blog over at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for photos and other stuff! Here's the time-index for your skipper-arounders: 0:00 - Intro stuff including some talk about Alewine Pottery, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. 9:48 - Musical Break #1 - A clip of "Church Girls" off of my "Trigger Warnings and Sunshine" album. 10:26 - Talking about the Nintendo Switch, Mario Odyssey, WWE 2K18, and gaming in general. 22:25 - Musical Break #2 - A clip of "Falling" off of my "New Year's Eve" album. 22:48 - Talking about Doctor Who and the new regeneration. Then about "A Christmas Story" and Dick Van Dyke after that. 34:25 - Musical Break #3 - A clip of "Outlaw" off of my "Wayne County EP" album. 34:58 - Current Listening: Vic Chesnutt - Is the Actor Happy?" and songs from the "Lord of the Rings" movies. 41:32 - A clip of "AMB 4" off of my "Grounds" album. 42:03 - Outro