Grizzly Bear Perform New Song ‘Yet Again’ on ‘The Colbert Report’

Grizzly Bear fans eager for a glimpse of the band’s upcoming ‘Shields‘ album were treated to a taste of new material last night (Aug. 14), when the Brooklyn-based indie heroes performed the ‘Shields’ track ‘Yet Again’ on ‘The Colbert Report.’

Having already kicked off his ‘StePhest Colbchella ’012: RocktAugustFest’ music festival with an appearance by fun., Colbert gave himself a tough act to follow for the second night — but he managed to live up to expectations by bringing Grizzly Bear out of a two-year concert hiatus. In addition to ‘Yet Again,’ the band performed ‘Two Weeks’ and ‘Sleeping Ute,’ as well as sitting down in a (constantly tilting) lifeboat for a five-minute interview segment.

After warning that “listening to them might cause spontaneous ironic mustache,” Colbert hopped on the lifeboat with the band, giving them the same effusive praise he gave fun. the night before (“you’re It on a Stick”) and asking about the band’s name, pointing out, “Why Grizzly Bear? You know they’re godless killing machines, right? Your music doesn’t seem scary to me.”

From there, the discussion turned to who should be eaten first if they were all adrift on an actual lifeboat, with singer-songwriter Ed Droste manfully volunteering himself, pointing out, “I’m the meatiest.” (Colbert responded by asking the crew for some lemon and aluminum foil.)

Finally, Colbert asked the band to describe its music, to which Droste responded, “It’s a little bit like this boat — confusing and disorienting.” Asked if they’d ever considered going into smooth jazz, they conceded that “teens love smooth jazz” before engaging in a decidedly off-kilter singalong. Check out the interview, as well as the performance segments, in the embeds below.

Watch Stephen Colbert Interview Grizzly Bear on ‘The Colbert Report’

Watch Grizzly Bear Perform ‘Yet Again’ on ‘The Colbert Report’

Watch Grizzly Bear Perform ‘Two Weeks’ on ‘The Colbert Report’

Watch Grizzly Bear Perform ‘Sleeping Ute’ on ‘The Colbert Report’