Tuesday, September 27th 2011

News:  Radiohead

Watch Radiohead Interview + 6-Song Performance On Colbert

By Johnny Firecloud

Radiohead appeared on Stephen Colbert’s hour-long special of The Colbert Report on Monday night, sitting for an interview and playing a handful of selections off their King Of Limbs album as well as a few others.

“Presented by Dr. Pepper, except for Radiohead who present themselves because they’re nobody’s corporate tool,” the extended episode – a first for the program – was a fascinating if slightly awkward pairing of one of the most beloved & left-leaning bands on Earth and Colbert’s conservative-pundit fake persona. Interestingly enough, it genuinely seemed as if Colbert and his minions hadn’t informed the band of their Dr. Pepper branding, which led to an odd bit of discomforting humor.

“This is going to be a mindblowing event for the music nerds. So in the event, I have hipster paramedics standing by,” said Colbert after the Pepper moment, pointing to a particularly sarcastic medic standing sidestage.

The band – frontman Thom Yorke in particular – were good sports for the lampooning but enthusiastic host, tossing a few joke volleys back and forth about everything from the band’s appearance to their sociopolitical standings.

“Why do Americans like you?” demanded Colbert.

“We don’t know. Not a clue,” replied Yorke, looking slyly out towards the audience.

When Colbert suggested it was just a hangover from Beatlemania, Yorke countered that they were “still waiting for the screaming people greeting off the plane with all the crowds and shit”.

When Colbert later interviewed Yorke and guitarist Ed O’Brien about the band’s environmentally-conscious attitudes, Yorke seized the opportunity to address Rick Perry’s financially encouraged eco-skepticism (“Let’s say in order to be elected you need funds, so you accept money from companies, and some of those companies are oil companies”). When asked if Dr Pepper could ever become Radiohead’s official soda, Yorke replied that it tasted like the stuff you swish in your mouth at the dentist.

“Well, it is a Dr,” replied Colbert matter-of-factly, to Yorke’s amusement.

Radiohead would go on to play The Daily Mail (best performance yet?), Bloom and Little by Little, as well as a gorgeous take on The National Anthem. Watch the performances and interview footage below!

Morning Mr. Magpie:

Little By Little:

Codex:

Radiohead Interview:

The Daily Mail:

Bloom:

The National Anthem: