(L-R) Wyatt Mason, Jales Hupke, Schroeder J, DJ Sumerall
Virgin Mary Pistol Grip is an Omaha, Nebraska based band with a name derived from an old spaghetti western film. Described as 3AM manic poetry put to music, VMPG fuses a 70’s style rhythm section with early 90’s riff driven guitars. Poignant and heartfelt lyrics touch on ever-present issues such as suicide and drunk driving, to the complexities of love.
Encouraging interaction, sing alongs, and even a few rapid-fire jam session Polaroid photo shoots, Virgin Mary Pistol Grip elevates their audience to the same level of energy as their music. Frontman Jales Hupke radiates a natural vibrancy that reels in audiences from the first note to the last.
VMPG’s passion is not exclusive to the stage. The band has donated their time and talent in support of the Mid America Chapter of the National MS Society, non-profit food drives and benefit shows. Most recently, VMPG has started a mental health and suicide awareness campaign called Blue Fingernails – a trademark of the lead singer’s left hand.
Virgin Mary Pistol Grip started their career with a bang. The band released their first full-length, self titled album at their debut performance – ensuring the audience could leave with a physical copy of the music they had just heard (2013). Since that time, VMPG has gone on to receive praise and accolades, including a ‘New Artist of the Year’ nomination from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (2015), winner of the 2018 Focus Omaha Gen-X Band Battle, and music videos selected to play during the Memorial Park Concert (2021 & 2022). Virgin Mary Pistol Grip has been included on REVERB’s Summer Hits Spotify playlist and featured on 89.7 The River’s weekly radio show, Planet O.
Continuous self-promoting led the band to collaborate with Los Angeles producer, Bob Marlette, on their follow up EP, Secret Codes (2017). Secret Codes was recorded at Omaha’s Make Believe Studios and at Blue Room Studios in Los Angeles. VMPG most recently finished recording the soon to be released album, Where Time Went (2023), with Marlette in Los Angeles.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- 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