FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Riffuge Studio Productions Announces the Remastered Re-Release of Simones Leopard’s Cult Classic Album
Dallas, TX / Dublin, Ireland – September 4, 2025 – Riffuge Studio Productions is proud to announce the upcoming re-release of Simones Leopard’s groundbreaking 2003 debut album, Claw Marks on the Mirror—now fully remastered for a new generation of listeners.
This re-release is being produced with the full blessing of the band’s original members and in collaboration with Lily Mason and the Riffuge Studio crew, alongside interim producer Liam Creed, who produced the original album and helped define what became known as the “Dublin snarl.”
Though Simones Leopard only released one album, their raw, jagged sound became a cult sensation in the European underground scene of the early 2000s. Fusing post-punk grit with experimental noise-rock, the band’s influence can still be heard echoing through countless acts across the continent. After their breakout debut, the members branched into other projects, but Claw Marks on the Mirror has remained a touchstone for fans of uncompromising, visceral rock.
The remaster not only breathes new life into the original recordings but also brings the original lineup together again for the first time in over two decades:
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Declan “Dec” O’Rourke – Vocals & Guitar
Born 1978 in Ballymun, Dublin, Dec’s gravelly, haunting voice and jagged riffs defined the band’s sound. A poet and former mechanic, his lyrics captured the urban decay of Dublin with raw intensity. -
Siobhán Kelly – Bass & Backing Vocals
Born 1980 in Ringsend, Dublin, Siobhán’s pulsating basslines and eerie harmonies anchored the group’s chaotic energy. Known for her DIY spirit, she famously built her first bass from scavenged parts. -
Rory “Rusty” Byrne – Drums
Born 1977 in Tallaght, Dublin, Rusty brought relentless, off-kilter rhythms that became the band’s heartbeat. A former scrapyard worker and vinyl collector, he is the band’s keeper of history. -
Eoin “Spike” Murphy – Guitar & Synths
Born 1981 in Finglas, Dublin, Spike fused screeching guitar with experimental synth textures, pushing the band into uncharted sonic territory. A tech tinkerer since youth, he infused innovation into every track.
“Bringing Claw Marks on the Mirror back with fresh ears and modern mastering has been both nostalgic and electrifying,” said interim producer Liam Creed. “The raw energy that made this album a cult hit is still alive, and fans old and new are going to feel it.”
The remaster will be available across digital platforms and select physical formats later this year. While no reunion has been officially confirmed, the band’s members have hinted that the process of remastering has rekindled their creative spark.
“We can only hope this is the beginning of something more,” said Ryder Mason of Riffuge Studios. “Simones Leopard helped shape the underground scene, and having them back in the studio—even for a remaster—feels like history in the making.”
About Riffuge Studio Productions
Founded by Ryder Mason, Vincent Krell (of The PryBirds), and Sam Nolan Carter, Riffuge Studio Productions operates in Dallas and Denver, dedicated to authentic sound and boundary-pushing artistry. Riffuge continues to collaborate with legendary acts while nurturing new voices in rock and metal.
Media Contact:
Riffuge Studio Productions – Press Team
[email protected]
riffuge.com