Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Noble Hops

Mike Palm
Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 8:05 a.m. | Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 8:05 a.m.

Noble Hops

Noble Hops released their single, “Life By The Numbers,” in July.

Noble Hops are fresh off of playing the 20th anniversary jam for Shady Lady Studio Productions and Records in Sarver over the weekend.

Guitarist Utah Burgess, who sings and writes the songs for Noble Hops, owns the studio. In the summer, the band released its latest single, “Life By The Numbers,” a song about accepting responsibility for your own life.

“(It’s) a song about getting back to core principles, Burgess said. “Your life is your life, own it, make it yours and make it spectacular.”

Noble Hops is nominated for a pair of Josie Awards and will head to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for the November awards show. The band is looking to expand its reach next year, too.

“When we are playing in front of people we have never met before, that don’t know who we are, and they are just completely connecting,” Burgess said. “We love playing Youngstown and Erie so far. We hope to play Pittsburgh more in 2026. Butler has not embraced us, so we don’t spend too much time there. Oversaturated for sure.”

Burgess filled in TribLive on what else we should know about Noble Hops:

Band: Noble Hops

Band members: “The” Brad Hurlburt (drums); Johnny “Sleeves” Costa (bass); Tony Villella (lead guitar); Utah Burgess (guitar, vocals)

Founding story: The roots of the band extend to 2010. Noble Hops started as an acoustic bar band duo doing covers and has since morphed into a powerhouse American rock band doing their own music today.

Origin of band’s name: I like beer and wanted something related to that. Beer requires hops, and Noble Hops are well … noble.

For fans of: People who like real, honest music. We are straight-up American rock ‘n’ roll and dive into alt-country and Americana.

Influences: Aside of our individual likes and influences, we’ll just say the local music from Western Pennsylvania.

Releases: “Hop Head Stomp,” “The Amish Ninja,” “Me For Me,” “Wicked Rest,” “The Mo Spangled Banner,” “Kelso Beach,” “Life By The Numbers,” all singles

Next shows: Sept. 25, ABATE Bike Night at 11th Frame Bar and Grill in Butler; Sept. 28 at 6 Pack House of Beer in Erie; Nov. 1 at Harborcreek Social Club in Erie

How to find them: Noble Hops can be found on their website, Facebook, Rumble and YouTube.

Three other Pittsburgh area bands to check out: Jenifer Lynn Baker Band; Dinnerbell Road; Appalachian Honey

Favorite pizza shop: Handlebar Cafe in Saxonburg

Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.

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Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Noble Hops

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