by LORRAINE CARPENTER

And you thought the Hidden Cameras was the only gay band to sing about pee and poo. The Isotoners are "New York City's only gay pop-rock band," according to eminent drag king Mr. Murray Hill, and probably the Big Apple's only songwriters to celebrate "poo fingers" and "manboobs."

"We're kinda fat," says Ben Lerman, the band member with the busiest hands, playing keys and bass as well as singing. Apparently, Isotoners photos are taken from flattering angles to disguise their grotesque girth, which will be on full display at le Swimming - apart from accordionist/singer Jim Andralis, who will be replaced by a relatively petite cellist. Despite the stigma of obesity, Lerman finds dignity in the band's ability to squeeze into elevators together, but he doesn't recommend the ride to others: "The smell is enough to knock you out."

Whether serving up KOs or KY, the Isotoners have earned a cult following since their first shows at New York's anti-folk epicentre the Sidewalk Café, where guitarist/vocalist Clint Asay worked waiting tables. Proving that their sleek sound and comedic lyrics can offend anyone, a straight couple once stormed out of an Isotoners show, and the band recently turned a whole city block of homos against them during a post-parade Pride set.

"It was just a sea of backs of heads, and a lot of mullets," says Lerman. "The gay scene is a hard one to penetrate, especially when you don't fit that gay marketing standard. Also, live music is not real popular, unless you're a drag queen."

The buzz around the Isotoners is escalating, however, in the wake of their nine-track CD Sometimes I Sit Down When I Pee, a little pop wonder for a band who - with the exception of drummer Bryce Edwards - only learned to play two years ago.

"We just want people to have a good time. We're not trying to dazzle anyone with our musicianship, but we can carry a tune and harmonize and play some chords, and sometimes we can make people laugh so hard that they soil themselves."

With Launie Anderssohn and Canned Hamm at le Swimming on Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 p.m. sharp, $6

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