Blackfire (band)

Blackfire
Blackfire at "The Unsung Heros of Time '09" concert Kayenta, AZ
Background information
Origin	Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
Genres	Punk rock, alternative rock
Years active	1989–present
Website	blackfire.net
Members	Klee Benally Jeneda Benally Clayson Benally

Blackfire is a Diné traditionally-influenced, musical group composed of three siblings: two brothers and a sister. Their high-energy style melds traditional Native American and punk rock into an "alter-Native" attitude with strong sociopolitical messages about government oppression, relocation of indigenous people, ecocide, genocide, domestic violence, and human rights.

Blackfire was founded in 1989 by Jeneda, Klee, and Clayson Benally, three siblings born in the heart of the land struggle at Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation. Their mother was a folk singer, and their father, Jones Benally, was a traditional medicine man who raised them on traditional Native songs. Not surprisingly, their children followed suit and have been playing music since "their instruments were bigger than they were." To this very day, Jones and his children perform as the Jones Benally Family, either as a part of or separately from Blackfire performances, which are always at 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 [sic], hunting, agriculture and the foundation of the Diné Culture."

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. In 1994, C.J. Ramone produced a 5-song EP that became their debut album released on their label Tacoho Productions. It also included musical contributions by their father Jones and by renowned American Indian flutist Robert Tree Cody. Four years later, they released another EP, this time producing it on their own and only releasing three new songs instead of five. In 1999, they received a NAMA nomination for Best Independent Release. Two years after that accomplishment, they embarked on a European tour, gaining more support along the way.