Sordid Humor was a musical band formed in 1987 by the duo of Tom Barnes and Jim Gordon. Barnes' unique vocal style and unusual phrasing was the trademark of Sordid Humor, and he went on to lend his vocals and alt-rock guitar style to Engine 88, and a solo project called the Blimp. Sordid Humor played what, at the time, could best be classified as college rock, releasing several independent releases before breaking up in 1992. Marty Jones also played bass on "Light Music". He is the namesake for the Counting Crows song "Mr. Jones".