Bristol, England's Maximum Joy was formed in 1979 by Janine Rainforth and Tony Wrafter founder members and joined by John Waddington, Charlie Llewellin and Dan Catsis. Blending punk, funk,soul, reggae and jazz they melded their own unique post-punk sound. Maximum Joy signed to the Rough Trade distributed Y Records and their first single, 'Stretch' (with b'side "Silent Street") came out in 1981. In the U.S. the record was distributed by the legendary 99 Records and became and underground NYC club classic.