Schizophonic is Bettencourt's first and, so far, only solo effort after the group disbanded.

In face of the then-current musical trends, Bettencourt added an alternative rock edge to his style.

Schizophonic's recording started over a stretch of time during Extreme's tour for their last studio album, Waiting for the Punchline.

Bettencourt wrote most of the songs and played most of the instruments on the album, except for "You", on which vocals are shared with co-author and former bandmate Gary Cherone, drums on "Swollen Princess" and "Fine By Me" (Mike Mangini) and "Fallen Angels", and "Note in the Screen Door", "Karmalaa", and "Severed" which were written with Anthony J. Resta.

The album cover featured Bettencourt dressed as a woman and with a prominent scar on his forehead.