Eventually, he simultaneously became interested in death metal and crossover thrash, and shortly afterward hardcore punk and metalcore bands such as Earth Crisis.

[5] When asked about this in the February 2007 issue of Alternative Press, he said that his career contradicted his beliefs, but at the same time, he had to make a living.

Hurley played in heavy metal and hardcore punk bands including Racetraitor, Killtheslavemaster, Project Rocket, xFor Death or Gloryx, The Kill Pill, and Arma Angelus.

Hurley has a record label, Fuck City, which has released music by Misery Signals, Peregrine (led by anarcho-primitivist writer Kevin Tucker), and Auryn.

In late 2012, Hurley began playing drums in Milwaukee-based straight edge hardcore band, FocusedXMinds.

[11] It was rumored that the return of Fall Out Boy would end his time with the band, but Hurley confirmed on Twitter on March 12 that "I am in it for life.

"[12] On February 4, 2013, Fall Out Boy unexpectedly announced their return, along with an album and single with which all four members, including Hurley, contributed.

April 12 of the same year, the band released a new album entitled, Save Rock and Roll, featuring the lead single "My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)," and dates for a new tour.

[13] With Fall Out Boy, Hurley toured heavily throughout 2013 and 2014 on the album, selling out arenas worldwide with bands Paramore on the Monumentour.

[18] In 2016 Hurley started a vegan straight edge hardcore band called SECT composed of Chris Colohan (Cursed, Burning Love, Left for Dead and The Swarm) on vocals, James Chang (Catharsis, Undying) and Scott Crouse (Earth Crisis, Path of Resistance) on guitar, and Steve Hart (Day Of Suffering) on bass.