Dave Kerman is in the forefront of contemporary "Rock In Opposition" (R.I.O.)-inspired progressive rock, his name appearing in multiple contexts as an internationally-reknown drummer and as a composer. He is one of the most in-demand drummers on the avant progressive scene, playing in the 5uu’s, U Totem, Thinking Plague, Present and Blast. Kerman founded his own band, the 5uu's, in 1984. Inspired by the European "Rock In Opposition" (RIO) movement's uncompromising stance, and devoted to a concept of song-oriented music with emphasis on short pieces, and lyrics and melodies, the 5uu’s created a sound that was a distinctly American version of R.I.O.-inspired rock.

    In 1984, the 5uu's self-released its first lp, Bel Marduk & Tiamat, notable for its thematic/conceptual complexity, experimental nature and complex rhythmic schemes. A year later it recorded a 7" single, Bar Code. It became involved with C.O.M.A. (California Outside Music Association), began collaborating with The Motor Totemist Guild, a band led by James Grigsby, and in 1988 self-released a second lp, Elements. Shortly after, the 5uu's and The Motor Totemist Guild merged into a new group, U Totem, which released two CDs on Cuneiform: U Totem (1990) and Strange Attractors (1994). In 1996, Cuneiform reissued the 5uu's pre-U Totem lp recordings on one CD, Point Of Views, prompting Facelift to say: "Hopefully, this release will open a few more ears to what is genuinely progressive in the USA." Progression described the 5uu's early sound as "a unique hybrid of early Gentle Giant The Residents, and a smattering of King Crimson."
    In 1994, Kerman reformed the 5uu's with different personnel. The new lineup released two CDs on the ReR label: Hunger's Teeth (1994) and Crisis In Clay (1997). Hunger's Teeth was recognized as "one of the great progressive rock CDs of the 1990s" (Progression) and called "awesome" (Facelift), "Magnificent" (Boston Rock) by the press, who included it in numerous "Best of 94" lists. Crisis in Clay was "Highly recommended" by Progression, who called it "a tumultuous and wonderful monstrosity that might be the perfect soundtrack for your next waking nightmare or the next David Lynch film an absolute joy to adventurous ears "
    For the 5uu's next release of new material, Kerman assumed a more prominent role as player. Released in 2000 by Cuneiform, Regarding Purgatories featured a new 5uu's lineup and label. Alternative Press descibed it as: "Ingeniously convoluted avant-prog rock. Now firmly back in the driver's seat, Kerman assumes the mantle of multi-instrumentalist and the results are mesmerizing Kerman is still the unsung shaman of unbridled convolution. On Regarding Purgatories, he weaves thorny, knotted minor-keyboard lines through thickets of fractured rhythmic figures; bowel-clearing bass; obtuse, inwardly-folding guitar scales; and elliptical vocal arrangements that generally rupture and reorganize spatial dynamics at will. Regarding Purgatories [is] perched on a precipice high enough to make most indie rockers appear ant-sized."
   

    Hunger's Teeth was recognized as "one of the great progressive rock CDs of the 1990s" (Progression) and called "awesome" (Facelift), "Magnificent" (Boston Rock) by the press, who included it in numerous "Best of 94" lists.

    Crisis in Clay was "Highly recommended" by Progression, who called it "a tumultuous and wonderful monstrosity that might be the perfect soundtrack for your next waking nightmare or the next David Lynch film an absolute joy to adventurous ears "

    Point Of Views reissues their first two lps: Bel Marduk Tiamat, about which Chris Cutler said "For a 1st album, it is a wonder", and Elements, which features the addition of The Motor Totemists Guild and is the embryonic blueprint for U Totem. It also includes their 7" single the final recording by this version of the group. It is an essential document for those interested in the development of a distinctly American version of R.I.O. inspired progressive music.

    Regarding Purgatories is Dave’s latest release of his own music, and features yet another version of the 5uu's. He has enlisted what amounts to an avant/progressive supergroup to back him here, including vocalist Deborah Perry [of Thinking Plague], bassist Keith Macksoud [of Present] and keyboardists Charles Turner [5uu's] and Sanjay Kumar [U Totem].

    Abandonship is the 5uu's newest release on Cuneiform. It features compositions, lyrics (printed in the CD booklet), and multi-instrumentation by Kerman, vocals by Deborah Perry [of Thinking Plague], sound sculpting by Udi Koomran, and contributions by various guest artists. Like other 5uu's works, it consists of mostly short pieces that coalesce into a musically and/or conceptually coherent mosaic. Co-produced by Kerman and Koomran in the Middle East, Abandonship is a emotionally intense, densely-layered, and compositionally complex work, inspired by such dark RIO bands as Univers Zero and Present, and a logical progression of the 5uu's multi-faceted, prismatic sound.

1. Yordei Hasira #2 2:12
2. Couple #3 Is A Solo 4:14
3. Thoroughly Modern Attila 9:21
4. Penguins On Dizengoff 5:49
5. Suits 2:45
6. Ringing In The New Ear 0:40
7. Noah's Flame 8:58
8. Hill Of Spring 3:36
9. Doubt Be Met 1:39
10. Belly-Up 9:07