According to Barrett, He created the Forces of Evil as a fall-back plan, as he believed that Reel Big Fish was going to tank after releasing Cheer Up!, thinking everyone would hate it.
In June 2002, the band released their first record, an EP titled Because We Care..., featuring tracks that had seen popular receptions during concerts.
The first album to be released by The Forces Of Evil appeared in October 2003, titled Friend or Foe?
Barrett also noted the president of Jive at the time of the release of Friend or Foe?
was angered by the fact that it was not the new Reel Big Fish album, and wondered why it wasn't; former Reel Big Fish bassist Matt Wong said he wondered the same thing as well.