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Colbert Wages War on Decemberists

Comedy Central pundit Stephen Colbert is putting quirky art-rockers The Decemberists "on notice" after learning of the band's "Re-Animate The Decemberists Contest." The band was looking for savvy fans to finish the animation on their "O Valencia!" video, which they had shot against a green screen. Colbert found this suspiciously similar to his own Green Screen Challenge from earlier this year, which involved fan-submitted clips of Colbert fighting off various evils with a light saber (George Lucas finished in second place). In response, he has issued a "Second Green Screen Challenge," urging his fans to participate in the Decemberists' contest by inserting a saber-wielding Colbert into the action.

"Let's see how well [The Decemberists] perform their trademark brand of hyper-literate prog rock when I'm slicing off their legs at the knee," cracked Colbert.

Unlike most of Colbert's targets, The Decemberists are striking back. Never at a loss for words, frontman Colin Meloy addressed his own troops: "We are asking our fans to help us win this epic battle. That's right, we want you to help us defeat Stephen Colbert in our video! Show us how you would 'Mulch' him, take him down to the banks of Ohio, put a cap in his Dockers."

Meloy closed by issuing a counter-challenge, asking Colbert to settle the dispute on the stage. "Put down the pen, Colbert, and pick up the axe!" Meloy thundered. "Let's see what kind of a man you really are -- let's SHRED. Let truth and good music prevail!!!"

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
12.04.06