It is also the last project that Joey Ramone, who dubbed Blackfire's music as "fireball punk-rock," contributed to before he died due to lymphoma. Produced by Don Fleming, producer for Sonic Youth and Joan Jett, and once again featuring their father doing traditional vocals, the album is described as "15 passionately burning songs of struggles, resistance, and hope." The song "No Control" was used in the "New Mexico, Old Monster" episode of What's New, Scooby-Doo?. One Nation Under and Woody Guthrie Singles (2002–2003)īy the end of 2002, they released their first LP One Nation Under. Two years after that accomplishment, they embarked on a European tour, gaining more support along the way. In 1999, they received a NAMA nomination for Best Independent Release.
Four years later, they released another EP, this time producing it on their own and only releasing three new songs instead of five. It also included musical contributions by their father Jones and by renowned American Indian flutist Robert Tree Cody. Ramone produced a 5-song EP that became their debut album released on their label Tacoho Productions. Though they began performing in 1989, Blackfire did not record any of their music until their uniquely substantial and energetic music got the attention of punk rock godfathers The Ramones. The siblings have been playing music since "their instruments were bigger than they were." Jones and his children continue to perform as the Jones Benally Family, either as a part of or separately from Blackfire performances, at various all-ages venues, to display their "traditional form of dance, song and story that has been carried on from the beginning of time.including histories of ceremonys, hunting, agriculture and the foundation of the Diné Culture." Release of EPs (1994–2001) Their mother was a folk singer-songwriter of Russian- Polish Jewish descent, while their father, Jones Benally, was a traditional Navajo medicine man who raised them on traditional Native songs. History Beginnings (1989–1993)īlackfire was founded in 1989 in Flagstaff, Arizona by siblings Jeneda, Klee, and Clayson Benally, born at Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation. In 2012, members formed the band Sihasin. Composed of three siblings: two brothers and a sister, their musical style is influenced by traditional Navajo Diné music and alternative rock, with political messages about government oppression and human rights. Blackfire is a Native American punk rock group.