Maximum Joy was originated by 17 year old Janine Rainforth – vocalist and multi intstrumentalist along with Tony Wrafter – ex Glaxo Babies sax player- in 1979 in Bristol, UK – they reruited other ex-Glaxo Babies players and an ex-The Pop Group player also. The band became known as one of the first post-punk bands, with their unique funky punky jazzy dub dance infused take on the post-punk sounds. At the time they released 4 singles and an album and were on a trajectory up but due to unfortunate occurrences within the then unit the band’s founder Janine had no choice but to leave the band and the band folded in 1983.
Maximum Joy’s music has played on since, gathering new followers and listeners and been licenced and featured repeatedly around the world (including catwalk fashion weeks and for brands Paris 2015; Michel Gaubert 2016 and London 2024) Maximum Joy are sought after and popular amongst DJs (Optimo; Tom Ravenscroft; The Blessed Madonna; Zakia Sewell) and punters alike.
So much so that in 2015 Janine was approached by Simple Things, Bristol about Maximum Joy performing and she went on to spearhead the reforming of the band along with Charlie Llewellin the band’s original drummer, and Tony Wrafter the sax player plus other players to perform at Simple Things, Bristol 2015.
Janine and Charlie took the band on to play Dimensions 2018, release the new album P.E.A.C.E. in 2019 and were invited to perform at the inaugural We Out Here 2019.
The band released a new EP Joy Again in summer 2022 and there was a Maximum Joy remix March 2023.

Their live set draws on their rich Maximum Joy back catalogue as well as their newer tracks with electronica, R&B and disco synths melding alongside the grittier undercurrents of the bands sound.
Janine Rainforth of Maximum Joy has just released her first solo album and is prepping live gigs.

“Exploring power, desire, injustice and survival….. MXMJoY sound like hope…”
The Guardian

“…..The return of British punk-funk trailblazers …[Maximum Joy] .. their sound still resonates over three decades later ….now reformed,,..a blissful amalgam of electronica and R&B, laced with grittier, brooding undercurrents that hark back to their early ’80s vision
…a sophisticated rebirth for one of the UK’s unsung trailblazers.
.Vinyl Factory
Pure festive disco goodness from the resurrected post-punk legends …continuing their 2nd wind with typical alacrity .. they return dripping in melody, harmony and treacly groove …..now given a more lustrous sort of disco sheen – Joy Again – Boomkat
“The emotional range of Maximum Joy was surely one of their greatest strengths, and this collection gives you every shade of their impeccable repertoire.” 9/10 Crack Magazine - Oli Warwick

‘Maximum Joy is pivotal to the history of post-punk… ‘I Can’t Stand It Here on Quiet Nights’ combines the three EPs Maximum Joy recorded for Y Records in 1981 and 1982, acknowledging the group’s rightful place in the post-punk canon as pioneers of the Bristol Sound.’https://daily.bandcamp.com/2017/07/28/maximum-joy-feature