The Nation will cheer for Stephen Colbert when he squares off against rock band The Decemberists in a "guitar shred-off" on "The Colbert Report" this Wednesday, December 20 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.

The smack talk began on November 29 when Colbert chastised The Decemberists for their mtvU-sponsored "Re-Animate The Decemberists" contest which is only open to college students. The task is for them to create animation to insert into the video's green screen backdrop. Colbert accused the band of "flagrantly copying" his green screen challenge and issued a counterchallenge asking viewers to insert Colbert himself into The Decemberists video.

On December 7, Colbert had this to say, "Now The Decemberists may be thieves but they are not cowards. In response, the band issued this statement, 'We would like to announce the very first Decemberists vs. Stephen Colbert Guitar Solo Challenge. Put down the pen Colbert and pick up the axe. Let's see what kind of man you really are. Let's shred.'"

"So Decemberists, I accept your counter-counter-challenge. Come on my show on December 20th and we'll settle this. I am going to jam out a solo with so many dominant sevenths and ascending pentatonic patterns it'll make Yngwie Malmsteen sound like Raffi. Decemberists, I'm even giving you home field advantage by having the contest in December. At last we'll see who reigns supreme."

Repeat episodes air Monday-Thursday at 1:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Friday at 8:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (all times ET/PT). "The Colbert Report" regularly airs Monday-Thursday at 11:30 p.m. following "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."