Between 1997 and 2001, Butterworth was one of The Innocent Criminals, the band of Ben Harper. Butterworth sang, played the piano and guitar and wrote his own songs. One of the songs he co-wrote with Harper is “She’s Only Happy in the Sun”, from the album Diamonds on the Inside.

In 2002 Butterworth toured with Morrissey. In 2003 he worked with surfer and musician Donavon Frankenreiter, on whose self-titled album he plays the drums and sings, with fellow ex-Innocent Criminals David Leach on percussion.

In 2004, Butterworth toured once more with Morrissey.

In May 2005, after Good Charlotte parted with their drummer due to drug use and inability for Chris Wilson to tour, Butterworth was called in as a temporary replacement. He performed on their 2007 album Good Morning Revival. On the eve of the release of their next studio album the temporary membership was turned into a permanent one.

In the fall of 2003, Butterworth laid down drum tracks for a song with Scott Shriner, the current bassist of Weezer; Justin Shekoski, guitarist for Saosin; and Anthony Green, singer for Saosin at the time. The song, entitled “I’ve Been Dying To Reach You”, was allegedly recorded to test out the new home studio of John Feldmann, producer and singer for Goldfinger. The song was originally released only on the internet, but a version was later released as “Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying To Reach You)” on Green’s debut album Avalon in 2008.

The band released their fifth studio album, Cardiology, in November 2010.

He drummed for the Cab on their album Symphony Soldier, released on August 23, 2011.

Butterworth worked with Joel and Benji Madden from Good Charlotte on their band the Madden Brothers, drumming on their album Greetings from California, released in 2014.

His third album with Good Charlotte and their sixth overall Youth Authority was released in July 2016. His fourth and their seventh Generation Rx was released in September 2018.

In 2016, Butterworth became a permanent member of Sugar Ray along with Kristian Attard, replacing Bivona brothers, after being a touring member since 2013.

In 2017, Butterworth drummed for Hollywood Undead on their album Five.