Bloomington 1993-1997. Before Java started in Bloomington c. 1993, Kevin Seal (vox/keys/sax) had been in the Cincinnati band Equinox, whose other three members joined with Matt Beringer to form the National. Java began when Seal and Mikey Kmiecik, (vox/guitar) began writing together as an acoustic duo. Soon, brothers Jeremy and Matt Allen (bass/trombone and guitar respectively) came aboard, along with drummer Jeremy Novak. After countless basement parties and barn shows out on Lampkins Ridge Road, the band started playing at Second Story, the Waldron Arts Center, the WIUS studio, and Culture Shock. By the time the band's debut CD came out on Baba Ganouj Records in mid-95, the Allen brothers had left the band and the remaining three members recruited Dew Daddies guitarist to play bass. Java recorded and put out a split release with Chive, called "Taking The Butcher's Advice" in the summer of 1997. Kmiecik went on to play in Jive, and then in Hydrophonix in California. Seal started Phatso with Matt Wilson of Homunculus and Johnny Socko and also moved to California. He now now sings and plays keyboards with Griddle.

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