Five Iron Frenzy started as a local side-project of Reese, Keith, Micah, and Scott's band Exhumator. The band members never took themselves too seriously. Even the name started out as an inside joke. Although the original intent was for the band to stay local and help grow the local music scene, Five Iron Frenzy (FIF, or Five Iron) signed to Frank Tate's 5 Minute Walk records in 1995 and was touring nationally within a year. They reached the peak of their fame around 2000, with the release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy. In December 2002, they announced that they would be breaking up after a final tour. They played their final show on November 22, 2003 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was recorded for The End Is Here (disc 2) (this disc features that show in its entirety and is sold with the band's final album, The End Is Near). This show had an attendance of over 4,000 people.

Their signature sound was a mix of rock and ska while their lyrics mixed socially-conscious satire and their Christian faith.