Machine Gun Kelly reveals the origins of his name in a promo for his upcoming performance on this weekend’s Saturday Night Live. Well, not really.

In the clip, cast member Heidi Gardner asks the “Bloody Valentine” rocker how he came up with his stage moniker.

“Oh, my mother’s maiden name is Machine Gun,” Kelly replies.

“Ah, no further questions,” responds host John Krasinski.

The name “Machine Gun Kelly,” of course, is actually a reference to the famed Prohibition era mobster George “Machine Gun Kelly” Barnes. It also reflects Kelly’s rapid-fire vocal delivery.

Also in the promo, Krasinski shares how nervous he is about hosting the first SNL of 2021.

“There’s tons of pressure,” Gardner says.

“She’s right,” Kelly adds. “You better be funny.”

Kelly’s SNL performance airs this Saturday, January 30, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. In a tweet this week, he reflected on what it means to him to be performing on the iconic show for the first time.

“I remember when I was a kid watching @nbcsnl every weekend with my aunt and my dad,” Kelly wrote. “Since they aren’t here to see this moment, I’m going to perform the song I wrote for them on the show. Hopefully I’ll feel them there.”

By Josh Johnson
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