Decemberists vs. Stephen Colbert

A reminder to all Seattle music lovers: Wednesday, Dec. 20, be sure to tune in to The Colbert Report at 11:30 on Comedy Central, for the epic guitar battle between Stephen Colbert and Decemberists axe-man Chris Funk.

The conflict began when Stephen Colbert went after the Decemberists on Nov. 29 for their "Reanimate the Decemberists" competition on mtvU.com. The Decemberists recorded themselves in front of a green screen, playing the music to their single "Oh Valencia," and invited viewers to contribute the video. The challenge mimicked Colbert's own green screen challenge, which invited viewers to place a light saber-wielding Colbert in a video.

"Let’s see how well they perform their trademark brand of hyper-literate prog-rock when I’m slicing off their legs at the knee,” said Colbert, again swinging his light saber. “Oh yes. They will feel the pain.”

The Decemberists stepped up to the plate, couter-challenging Colbert on Pitchfork, saying, “Put down the pen, Colbert, and pick up the axe! Let's see what kind of a man you really are--Let's SHRED!”