Formed in 1979, Maximum Joy was originated by Janine Rainforth (singer / violin / clarinet) and Tony Wrafter (saxophonist / trumpeter, previously of Glaxo Babies, another Bristol band). Other founder members were Charlie Llewellin (drums, previously of Glaxo Babies), John Waddington (guitar, previously of Pop Group) and Dan Catsis (bass, previously of The Pop Group and Glaxo Babies). Later Kevin Evans (Ebo) joined as bass player; Jeremy Hirsch also joined on keys and trumpet and Nellee Hooper on percussion and backing vocals. The band reformed in 2015 to perform at Simple Things, Bristol. Rainforth spearheaded the reformation and went on to form a new band MXMJoY.