Soma Records, Surfin Excelsior

Surfin In Excelsior
1962

“In February 1962, Ray Colihan booked the Beach Boys at Big Reggie’s Danceland (Excelsior) for $400, before anyone had ever heard of them. Between the time they were booked and the time they arrived, however, they had a big record out that was #1 on WDGY. Thousands of kids showed up, and Colihan was afraid they would tear down the roller coaster.”
St. Louis Park Historical Society

I have wondered how the Twin Cities could have been so awash in the “Surf Sound” back in 1963-65. We’re mid-continent. I got a hint when surfing the St. Louis Park Historical Society Web site.

Pre-dating the wave that would be the British Invasion in 1964, The Cities music was fused with twangy surf guitars, tom toms and a unique garage band sound.

The Above Photo
This CD was an effort by Simitar Entertainment © 1998 Maple Plain, to save and publicize the local recordings of Soma Records (defunct).

A partial list of tracks:
• Foot Stompin - by The Underbeats
• Surfin Bird - The Trashmen
• Run, Run Run - The Gestures
• Little Latin Lupe Lu - The Chancellors
• Let the good times roll - The Del Counts
• Liar Liar - The Castaways
• You Dont Want me - The Corvettes
• Turn on your love light - The High Spirits
• Olds-Mo-Williams - Gregory D and the Avanties
• Summer Place - The Titans (very surfy)
• Cold 45- The Four Wheels
• Howlin for my Baby - the Accents