The Red Hot Chili Peppers were surprised to have been mistaken for Metallica while visiting Belarus. Airport officials mistook Flea for a member of another metal rock band Metallica.
Flea, whose real name is Michael Peter Balzary, actually performed with Metallica in 2008 and inducted the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, a customs agent at Belarus apparently failed to properly identify the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist.
Flea mentioned that he played the song "Fight Fire with Fire" with Metallica, and said that he loves the band, although he humbly stated that he was no Robert Trujillo, the bassist of the other band.
Consequence of Sound wrote that European fans probably have trouble identifying various American rock bands and their music, even those as huge as Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Flea is actually easier to spot because of his colored hair, although he has played with several artists and groups through the years, which may explain why the Red Hot Chili Peppers were confused with Metallica.
Perhaps the Belarus customs officials only saw the 2008 benefit concert or knew the facts well but either brought the wrong paraphernalia for them to sign or just wanted to fool around with the band.
Flea posted an image on Instagram of himself autographing a Metallica album and several photos of the band. He explained that they were requested into the custom officials' office at a Belarus airport where they were asked to sign various Metallica CDs and pictures.
He continued how they tried to explain to the staff that they were the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but they insisted them to sign anyway. They obliged, since the airport officials had the power, according to Flea.
Flea has been with the Red Hot Chili Peppers since the band started in 1984, being best friends with front man Anthony Keidis.
He has also appeared in various films, TV shows, documentaries and music videos and is deemed as one of the greatest bassists in music history. The Red Hot Chili Peppers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, three years after they inducted Metallica.
Entertainment Weekly stated that Red Hot Chili Peppers launched their latest album, "The Getaway," earlier in June 2016 and had a show in Moscow and Scotland in July.
The band is heading to Chicago on July 30 for Lollapalooza and will proceed to their international tour through November.
More updates and details on Flea and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are expected soon.