Sure, THE ISOTONERS like to have a few drinks. But they can quit any time they want. So, before you go and pigeonhole them in that whole homosexual-alcoholic-comedy-rock genre, take another look. Underneath that rugged, just-woke-up-hungover surface, you’ll find a truly unique troupe of attention-seeking schizophrenics who aren’t afraid of their sibilant S.
Self-taught musicians Ben (keyboard, bass, vocals) Lerman and Clint (guitar, vocals) Asay met climbing the ladder of the food service industry and formed the Isotoners as a duo in 2002, playing open mics and gigs at the Sidewalk Café. They played their first full show at Sidewalk in November 2002. They conducted an extensive talent search at Manhattan’s Phoenix bar, and recruited the bartender Jim (accordion, vocals) Andralis and another bar patron Bryce (drums) Edwards. In February 2003, they played their first show as quartet. Ever since, they’ve been seducing audiences all over downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Thanks to early buzz and capacity crowds at Sidewalk Café, THE ISOTONERS sold out the Club at La Mama during a weekend run, and they’ve played shows at Tonic, the Slide, Luxx, the Slipper Room, Rock Star Bar, Barracuda Bar, Superfine, NYC’s Gay Pride Festival, and the performance jewel of Noho, Fez (www.feznyc.com). With their Fez debut in May 2004, the Isotoners drew such a good crowd they will be back at Fez for a residency, every Tuesday in September.
What makes the Isotoners so fresh is the blend of sugary sweet pop vocals with inappropriate subject matter, mixing the sentimental with the deviant, to create a harmonious imbalance. Their runaway hit, “Manboobs,” turns the cliché breakup song on its head with a pillowy case of gynecomastia. “VD” exposes a side of Valentine’s Day you won’t find in a Hallmark. “Rebound Baby” offers the newly brokenhearted a guilt-free chance at revenge sex.
With videographer Brendan Toner, the Isotoners made their first music video, “Roofie Me,” a story about a boy who might consider putting a roofie in his own drink after a mean bout of Stockholm syndrome. They’ve collaborated on some short comedy sketches like “Behind the Isotoners” (a take on VH1’s Behind the Music), “Hassidic Girls Gone Wild” (a parody of the Girls Gone Wild videos), and a satire of video personals ads called (“Strictly Personals”).
Theisotoners.com, is an animated flash cereal box, with all of the nutritional requirements of a healthy and delicious website. You can download music and pictures, buy fabulous Isotoners t-shirts and CDs, and see their infamous collection of silly flyers and posters.
Currently, the Isotoners are booking dates through 2004 in New York. They are recording new tracks (“Gay Divorce,” “Starfucker,” “Halitosis,” and many more) for their second record due out this fall.
