What are the coolest bands you know of, that not many people know about?

After following the "Music Recommendations for Coffeehouses" thread on here, one common denominator kept coming up. Bands that are so small, so indie or not mainstream, that people all over may not have heard of them. I am not talking about bands like Death Cab for Cutie, and although I like them, most people have heard of them by now. I am talking about bands like Dear and the Headlights that Bryan Reynolds on here opened me up to. I was listening to it today thinking, "I would have never even known about this great band had it not been for him posting it on his bX profile." So, what are the best bands you know of, that most people may not? (Ex. One band I saw several times in the other thread was Ratatat. I listened to it on iTunes, great stuff!) And this is music I would play in my car or at home, not just your shop.
I'll start it off:
Mute Math. Easily one of the best bands out there now, and one of the best live shows you'll ever see.
The Cinematics. A band from Scotland I saw open up for Mute Math. Great energy.
Derek Webb. One of our generation's straight from the hip songwriters.
Disappointed by Candy. I have some friends in a band called Jars of Clay, these guys play in their touring band. The stuff on their CD is fresh and great.
Eisley. A pair of sisters and a brother formed this TX band, and even toured with Coldplay. Very good.
Fair. This Pacific NW band is fronted by Aaron Sprinkle, who has been around a while since his old band Poor Old Lu, but this CD is very solid. (Eisley also backs up one of the songs.)
Mat Kearney. I love this cat's style. Smooth flows.
The Sheeps. This Austin-based band is fronted by Wes Whitener, previously head of one of Athen's finest bands, Rock and Roll Summer. He played at my coffeehouse there several times, and was always great.
Seabird. One of my favorite EPs of last year. Short, but sweet.

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Permalink Reply by Tisi on June 22, 2008 at 5:45pm
It's not rock or anything, and may not be "coffee music" but one of my favorite artists is Burntface. It's afro-beat hiphop.
Permalink Reply by Benza Lance on June 22, 2008 at 6:47pm
Black Bear: acoustic meloncollie folk
Tycho: electronic goodness
Permalink Reply by Summer on June 22, 2008 at 7:43pm
I left this band on that thread, but they're good enough I'll say it again. Destroyer - a band with one of the members of the New Pornographers, though it's a little more laid back. It's a band fit for any mood.
Permalink Reply by Jason Dominy on June 23, 2008 at 8:57am
That's great! I haven't heard of any of these bands.
Permalink Reply by Brady on June 23, 2008 at 10:36am
I like interesting jazz. These are some favorites:
The Afromotive out of Asheville, NC. Saw 'em here about a year ago, great live, great on disc.
Mitch Rutman Group from Knoxville TN. Also saw them here last year... they opened for John Mayer when he played here, then did a late show at my favorite neighborhood bar. Their CD features Jeff Coffin (my fav. sax player) of the Flecktones.
speaking of which...
Jeff Coffin Mu'tet. His "Bloom" recording is great.
Marshall Ruffin. He tours lots in the southeast, and crashed a Charlotte open mic a few months back. Just released his first full album, his EP was great in spots.

Great thread!
Permalink Reply by The Barista Formerly Known As JavaJ on June 23, 2008 at 11:32am
Even though he is better known now that he has returned to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, I am always surprised at how many people haven't heard of John Frusciante. Or if they have they haven't heard his (awesome) solo stuff. When I play some, they almost always really like it.
Permalink Reply by Benza Lance on June 23, 2008 at 1:57pm
Dude, J, Frusciante is a f'in madman! Love that stuff!
I figured I would throw Helio Sequence out there, as well. Still sorta small, good indie rock/electronic stuff.
Permalink Reply by Jessica Woods on June 23, 2008 at 10:25pm
An array of bands for your listening pleasure. Happy listening.

Yeasayer
e*vax (if you like ratatat, do it)
Black Fiction
The Dirty Projectors
Paleo
The Radio Dept.
Sun Kill Moon
The Sea and Cake
Wolf Parade

and, for the glam in you.... Glass Candy. I had to.

Oh, and Benza, nice one with the Helio Sequence.
Permalink Reply by Shane on June 24, 2008 at 3:12am
Well first off, Dave Matthews Band....HA! For realsies:

Bon Iver
Newton Faulkner
Keaton Simmons
!Forward, Russia!
The Afters
Mason Jennings
Ida

Enjoy
Permalink Reply by cisco on June 24, 2008 at 8:11am
Check out Dominic Balli. Reggae/hip-hop/rock. It's ridiculous.
Permalink Reply by FinerGrind on June 24, 2008 at 6:06pm
Jason, check out www.last.fm - my page is http://www.last.fm/user/FinerGrind/ - I've discovered more new artists there than any other site. What is innovative about it is it takes the songs and artists you listen to, compares it to other artists of similar catagory. What is unique is it builds a "neighborhood" of other listeners who have similar tastes. I nick tracks from their playlists all the time. It will build a server-side playlist, and there is a client-side app you can play music streamed from the server, or it will take iTunes or Windows Media Player playlists and songs, and "scrobble" what you are listening to (log it, so stats can be generated).

It's one of the most interesting social network sites I frequent.

Woody
Permalink Reply by Chris Weber on June 24, 2008 at 10:03pm
Pandora is also a good tool for making connections musically.

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