Decemberists Set Date For Colbert Duel

12/14/06 6:30pm

The war of words between The Decemberists and late night talk show host Stephen Colbert has officially reached a boiling point. But the two factions have agreed to resolve their differences like gentlemen — with a guitar duel.

On Dec. 20, Decemberists guitarist Chris Funk will appear on The Colbert Report to face off in what a release says will be "a blood-frenzy of guitar mayhem and pyrotechnics." The show airs at 11:30 p.m. on Comedy Network and 12:35 a.m. on CTV affiliates.

The controversy began at the end of November when Colbert accused the Portland, Oregon group of riding his coattails by offering fans the chance to make their own video for "O Valencia" using images of the band in front of a green screen. Colbert issued a similar challenge to his fans earlier this year. Colbert then asked his fans to edit him into The Decemberists' video using his previous recorded green screen clip. The band responded with a counter-challenge directly to Colbert.

"Put down the pen, Colbert, and pick up the axe! Let's see what kind of man you really are," the band wrote in a statement. "Let's SHRED!"

Colbert accepted the challenge.

"Decemberists, I accept your counter-counter challenge," he replied. "At last we'll see who reigns."