[Updated!] Last night was a historic night for rock and roll. Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's Colbert Report challenged Chris Funk of The Decemberists to a guitar face-off before several noted rock critics. Pity poor Chris Funk: helping out on Colbert's side were Peter Frampton, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), and none other than Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo, performing as the "opening act" with a completely original song written in tribute to Mr. Colbert. As he performed, Schoolhouse Rock-style animation unspooled behind him. After performing the complete song (it was even multi-tracked!), Schneider was thanked by Colbert, and brought back onstage for the final jam with Frampton, Nielson, and Colbert, singing into an electronic "talk box." Pitchfork, which has been fueling the challenges and cross-challenges between Colbert and The Decemberists, gives their coverage here. This was one of the most surreal, delightful, and baffling half-hours of television I've ever seen, and I haven't even mentioned Henry Kissinger's cameo.

You can see the Robert Schneider footage at You Ain't No Picasso, and also download the song as an MP3. Muchas gracias to Matt for doing that.

If you want more, watch the whole episode at Comedy Central's site.

In other Apples in Stereo news: Elijah Wood's new video for their song "Energy" has premiered at the Yep Roc website.

Finally finally, the new Apples song "Play Tough" was featured on the sitcom "Help Me Help You" on ABC Tuesday night. No, I didn't see it either.

More to come!