From the ashes of The Pop Group came Pigbag, Rip, Rig & Panic and Maximum Joy
Formed in 1979, Maximum Joy was originated by Janine Rainforth (singer / violin / clarinet) and Tony Wrafter (saxaphone/trumpeter, formally of 'Glaxo Babies). Other founding members were Charlie Llewellin (drums, previously of Glaxo Babies), John Waddington (guitar, previously of The Pop Group) and Dan Catsis (bass - Pop Group and Glaxo Babies).
In the wake of The Pop Group the band developed their own unique version of the post-punk Bristol sound. The groove combined punk , reggae, jazz and wild improvisation....It hits the spot, as much now as it did then, 20+ years ago.
Maximum Joy's songs and melodies are about getting conscious and waking up to life, as reflected in the bands first single "Stretch", released by 'Y' records in 1981.
Along with A Certain Ratio, apb, The Higsons, Shriekback and 23 Skidoo, Maximum Joy contibuted to an incredibly popular underground F-punk (funk/punk) scene whose influences can be heard in many of todays young bands.