Empty Checking with Derek Brink

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Episode 228 - the Fab 15 Supergroups

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 - Chickenfoot / The Gloaming
19:12 - #14 - The New Pornographers / The Three Tenors
24:19 - #13 - Audioslave / The Million Dollar Quartet
31:49 - #12 - Velvet Revolver / Them Crooked Vultures
40:16 - #11 - Bad English / Velvet Revolver
44:00 - #10 - Asia / Temple of the Dog
50:36 - #9 - Highwomen / Mr. Big
58:29 - #8 - Highwaymen / Neurotic Outsiders
1:06:39 - #7 - Blind Faith / Cream
1:12:26 - #6 - Neurotic Outsiders / Boygenuis
1:15:03 - #5 - Damn Yankees
1:21:19 - #4 - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer / Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Sometimes Young
1:26:44 - #3 - Bad Company / Eagles
1:33:57 - #2 - Traveling Wilburys
1:42:25 - #1 - CSNY / The Highwaymen
1:43:03 - Honorable Mentions
1:59:49 - Intervention
2:00:19 - The Final 15 and choosing a #1.

No real pictures to post since this is a Fab 15...but here's the cover:

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Episode 227 - On a Horse, Learning to Play the Banjo

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

Photos:

Here's your cover photo. On my screen the banjo strings are kinda blown out but I'm not good enough of a photographer to fix it. So we're all just going to have to die mad about that, okay?

This is me with my most recent two banjos--the Plectrum and the 5-String. This became my avatar on most social media.

These are the most recent two banjos, sitting together. They're friends.

And here's all three of the banjos you hear in this episode--the Three Amigos! (Apt since Steve Martin is a big reason that I like the banjo so much!)

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Episode 226 - I Guess We're Doing Hot Picks Now

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

Photos! They're BACK!!!

Here's your cover photo! Neat, huh?

This is the new Mumford and Sons album. I think I was starting to say, but then got distracted, that I have no idea why an album called "Prizefighter" has a Zippo lighter as the cover photo...other than I assume they're going to be selling $200 Zippos as merch on tour... But I still like it.

...and here's what distracted me! I apparently bought one of the autographed copies and didn't realize it! That's pretty cool!

Newest album by Mitski, and my HOT PICK of the week! It's a really beautiful album that has made me want to explore her entire back catalogue. Well done.

And here's my potential HOT PICK of the whole damn year (at least so far). The newest album by Squeeze is a very cool, immersive listen and I really hope they bring the tour to St. Louis this time!

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Episode 225 - The Muppet Movies Episode

In this episode I talk about the theatrically released Muppet movies, in chronological order. Because everyone loves the Muppets! Enjoy!

No time index, since it's just the one subject--and I should clarify that I am spoiling every movie, if you haven't seen them.

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com

Songs used in the show:

Cover photo:

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Episode 224 - The One Where I Bought an Autoharp

In this episode, I talk about recent releases from Geese and Wednesday, then I talk about buying an Autoharp. That's the show! Enjoy!

Sorry there's not a time index...but here are the links...although really there's not anything that corresponds to the Bandcamp page, since I'm just noodling...but whatever! Also, I'll probably get back to posting more pictures in the next episode. I'm kind rushing this one. :)

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com

Cover Photo:

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Episode 223 - Bask in My Reflected Joy

In this episode, I pay my respects to Catherine O'Hara, then talk about my newest (vintage) guitar and the long-since-canceled TV show Andy Richter Controls the Universe. I had fun with this one! Enjoy!

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com

Time Index:

0:00 - Intro
6:41 - I Go*
7:11 - Rest in Peace Catherine O'Hara
25:18 - Racing the Rain*
25:49 - Silvertone Guitar
38:20 - After the Storm*
38:51 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe
51:34 - Losing Sleep*
52:04 - Introduction to Racing the Rain
55:43 - Racing the Rain (Electric Version)
59:59 - Outro

*All songs except "Racing the Rain" were just me noodling on the guitar this week, so there's not much to download, unless you just wanna go to Bandcamp and find the full songs.

And here's your Cover-Photo:

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Episode 222 - Chinese Buffets and Mispronunciations

In this episode, I'm low on stuff to talk about because I haven't bought anything lately, so I talk about movies from the recent (25-35 years) Rocky & Bullwinkle universe. It's a show! Enjoy!

Bandcamp: http://derekbrink.bandcamp.com
email: db@derekbrink.com

The subjects this week are pretty intertwined, so I didn't do a time index. But if you're interested in the songs used in this episode they are as follows:

Cover:

Basic Information About the Podcast

1. There may be some “strong” language. I speak the way I speak. I promise that I will try to avoid excessive profanity, but I can not guarantee that every podcast will be absolutely swear-word free. It is recommended that any listeners be 13+, due only to the potential of me using some "dirty" words.

2. There are likely to be spoilers in each podcast if I'm discussing something that has already aired. I assume that if you were interested, you'd have read/watched/listened to it by the time I'm posting about it...whatever "it" is.

3. Whenever possible, I’ll give you a preview of what I’m talking about from week to week, so you’ll know in advance if you’ll be bored. But I tend to go off topic.

4. Sometimes I’ll like the stuff I review. Sometimes I won’t. I will likely be fairly critical of some of the things I review. However, I will do my best to be fair. ACCURATE...but fair. If I absolutely hate something, I’ll let you know...but I will try not to just blindly blast something for the sake of it.

5. I’m going to try to take up enough time to make it WORTH your time. There’s nothing worse than settling in for someone’s podcast and then discovering that they only did 2 minutes. I’m going to try to keep it between 30-60 minutes each time.

6. It should be understood that I am not accountable for any comments made by any guest on the show. I reserve the right to edit any comments I find unacceptable in both recordings and written comments, but for the most part will leave any guest commentator's comments as in-tact as I can.

7. Each download will always be released ABSOLUTELY FREE OF CHARGE.

8. As of 2017, I do not have any sponsors and this podcast is a labor of love. Should any sponsorships or commercials appear, they will either be added by my web-host or a product that I have personally approved...but we're not there yet. If a webhost adds a commercial, it should not be assumed that I have endorsed the product.

9. Just have fun. This is supposed to be fun.