THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS went unplugged for their Super Bowl performance on Sunday, only problem is that's not what it sounded like.

New photos reveal that as the group joined halftime headliner Bruno Mars for a performance of their hit 'Give It Away,' both Flea's bass and Josh Klinghoffer's guitar were just for show as the instruments weren't plugged in to amplifiers.

New York Magazine noticed two musicians tweeting to let everyone know the performance wasn't live.

"That guitar is plugged into NOTHING," Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid wrote.

American blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa posted a photo and tweeted "Flea... I mean we all know, but for god's sake at least try to humor the children. #unpluggedlive."

On Tuesday, Flea took to his own Twitter to address the reports and tell fans the band wasn't trying to deceive anyone.

The 51-year-old bassist tweeted, "No trickery. No choice, but no trickery."