After many, including USA Today and Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, noticed that the Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ guitars weren’t plugged into anything during their performance at Super Bowl 2014, RHCP bassist Flea has disclosed via Twitter that the band had “no choice” but to run tracks.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS OFFICIALLY RESPOND TO SUPER BOWL MIMING OUTCRY

Reid, like many on social media, had noticed that neither Flea nor guitarist Josh Klinghoffer‘s instruments had anything connected to their input jacks, tweeting, “That guitar is plugged into NOTHING.” No cables leading to an amplifying device, speaker, or wireless unit could be seen.

As the halftime show’s main performer, Bruno Mars, appeared to be singing live throughout the show, it struck many as odd that a band reputed for their virtuosic instrumental ability and playing a song they’ve been performing for two decades would opt to run tracks during their appearance.

It’s now apparent that Flea and Klinghoffer removed their own amp leads in order to remove any doubt that their performance was a mimed affair, in a fashion similar to Nirvana‘s infamous appearance on the UK’s Top of the Pops. “No trickery. No choice, but no trickery,” tweeted Flea.

UPDATE: Flea has posted a statement on the official RHCP website responding to the outcry over their Super Bowl performance.

Watch: Bruno Mars & Red Hot Chili Peppers Superbowl Half-Time Show

http://youtu.be/rxNwrNLLyjM

That guitar is plugged into NOTHING — Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) February 3, 2014