Dirnt helped form the secret Green Day side project, The Network, during the summer of 2003. The six-piece new wave band consists of the members of Green Day, along with touring members and friends of the band. They released their debut album "Money Money 2020" on September 30, 2003. After a seventeen year hiatus, the band released their second album, "", on December 4, 2020. In addition to playing bass for the band, Dirnt also provides lead vocals on many of their tracks (in contrast to his work with Green Day, where he primarily provides backing vocals).