Virgin Mary Pistol Grip is an Omaha-based alt-rock band that blends raw indie energy with heartfelt melodies. Their sound channels the spirit of 90s rock while embracing modern pop sensibilities. VMPG’s live shows carry an electric sense of honesty and connection, turning performances into a shared emotional experience between the band and the audience.
Their latest single, “Dragonfly,” featuring Ryan Delahoussaye of Blue October on strings, continues that emotional tradition and indie-rock energy. Produced by Bob Marlette and mastered by Paul Logus, “Dragonfly” will be available November 7, 2025.
“Dragonfly” follows their full-length album ‘Where Time Went’ (2024), also recorded and produced by Marlette in Los Angeles and mastered by Logus, showcases the band’s growth and emotional resonance. ’Where Time Went’ earned an ‘Album of the Year’ nomination from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAA), building on VMPG’s earlier ‘New Artist of the Year’ nod in 2015.
Beyond the music, Virgin Mary Pistol Grip is committed to connection — with each other, their fans, and their community. The band has supported organizations like the National MS Society, local food drives, and mental health initiatives. Their ongoing campaign, Blue Fingernails (a signature of lead singer Jales Hupke) promotes mental health awareness and is a symbol of vulnerability and self-expression.
Since releasing their self-titled debut album at their first live performance in 2013, Virgin Mary Pistol Grip has continued to evolve. In 2017, they began their creative relationship with Bob Marlette, recording the EP ‘Secret Codes’ at Make Believe Studios (Omaha) and Blue Room Studios (Los Angeles). In 2024, they joined the Good Life Records family — a local independent label uniting artists through creativity, community, and collaboration.
VMPG has performed alongside artists such as The Wallflowers, Black Pistol Fire, Shooter Jennings, Royal Lynn, and Colt Ford, while appearing at major regional festivals including Junkstock, Omaha Summer Arts Festival, The Good Life Festival, and Baffin Records Showcase in Washington, D.C. Their music videos have been featured at Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert series, and their work has appeared on REVERB’s Summer Hits Spotify playlist and 89.7 The River’s weekly alt-rock programming.
Jales Hupke
Vocals, Guitar
Wyatt Mason
Lead Guitar, Vocals
DJ Sumerall
Bass
Nate “Schroeder J” Johnson
Drums, Vocals
Love
always
wins
Causes close to our hearts:
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- 4-11-25 | The Daily Nebraskan: LEWIS: ‘Where Time Went,’ Omaha band’s heartfelt, fresh rock album
- 2-8-25 | The Daily Nebraskan: Omaha Invades: Lincoln’s next big music festival
- 1-30-25 | The Daily Nebraskan: Omaha Invades, Lincoln’s newest music festival
- 11-25-24 | 19th Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards – Album of the Year Nominee
- 6-10-24 | The Good Life Podcast with DT & Spicoli
- 7-11-24 | Lazy-i.com, Tim McMahan: Wallflowers, Virgin Mary Pistol Grip tonight
- 2-24-24 | Omaha Buzz, Marq Manner: Big Saturday Night Ahead – Vinyl Release Party
- 2-23-24 | Lazy-i.com, Tim McMahan: Virgin Mary Pistol Grip Album Release Show
- 6-27-23 | The Omaha Dispatch: Local Musical Flavors – Omaha-area artists get screen time at Memorial Park concert
- Around River City – VMPG returns to HD Tavern
- 4-28-23 | The Reader: Calling Local Bands For 2023 Memorial Park Concert
- 4-11-23 | Review: Unleash the Power of VMPG’s ‘Ginger Jesus’ – The Anthem for Overcoming Life’s Toughest Battles
- 4-21-22 | The Omaha Dispatch: Rare Show To See
- 4-6-20 | The Daily Nebraskan: Local Sampler
- 4-12-19 | VMPG Ginger Jesus Video Press Release
- 9-12-18 | Focus Omaha: Gen-X Band Battle Winner
- 8-29-18 | Focus Omaha: Gen-X Band Battle
- 9-6-17 | Focus Omaha: Secret Codes Album Release
- 9-6-17 | Hear Nebraska: Secret Codes Album Release
- 9-1-17 | VMPG Secret Codes EP Press Release
- 10-25-16 | Hear Nebraska: Secret Codes kickstarter campaign
- 6-9-16 | OMAHA WORLD HERALD: OEAA Summer Showcase 2016
- 11-4-15 | Hear Nebraska: “Rocking Chair” Live Video Release
- 10-13-15 | The Reader: Featured Band
- 7-8-15 | Ida County Courier: From My Backyard by Doug Clough
- 6-8-15 | HEAR NEBRASKA
- 5-22-15 | OMAHA SCENE
- 3-11-15 | Omaha Film Festival
- 2-3-15 | HEAR NEBRASKA FEATURE: “Whiskey Flats” Video Premiere “a breathy and vulnerable take on Americana road-rock” ~ Hear Nebraska
- 11-6-14 | OMAHA WORLD HERALD “The standout song is “Whiskey Flats,” a strummy tune with a bit of a country flair that sounds like the Eagles cranking up the distortion, with singer/guitarist Jales Hupke’s voice being a near-perfect reflection of The Samples’ Sean Kelly.” ~ Kevin Coffey, OWH
- 9-15-14 | Omaha Dispatch New Event Group Debuts by MarQ Manner
- 2025 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2025 | Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert | Featured Band Video
- 2024 | OEAA Album of the Year nominee
- 2024 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2024 | Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert | Featured Band Video
- 2023 | Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert | Featured Band Video
- 2023 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2022 | Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert | Featured Band Video
- 2022 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2021 | Omaha’s Memorial Park Concert | Featured Band Video
- 2021 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2019 | REVERB’s Spotify Summer Hit’s Playlist
- 2018 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2018 | Focus Omaha | Gen-X Battle of the Bands Winner
- 2017 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2016 | Omaha Word Herald | Band of the Week
- 2016 | 89.7 FM The River | Featured Band
- 2016 | OEAA New Artist of the Year nominee
- 2016 | Benson Days Featured Band
- 2016 | Junkstock Featured Band
- 2015 | Omaha Film Festival | Featured Artist
- 2015 | OEAA Showcase Participant
- 2015 | Record Store Day Featured Artist (Recycled Sounds)
- 2015 | OEAA Showcase Participant