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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check out Shout out louds,Beirut,the Frames and I´m really into Ryan Adams!
First off, yay, to all my Texas bands that people are listing...That scene is blowing up this year.
Now, the good stuff.



David Bazan-from the more well known band, Pedro the Lion. But his solo stuff will make you pee in your pants.

Kings of Convenience-I am constantly surprised by how few people know about them on the East Coast. Very relaxing, perfect for the shop or a roadtrip!

Cartright-small-timer from Denton, TX..."real" country with spunk...Not pop country by any means...

Noisettes- Rock goddess from London. Dancing is necessary. Good for uplifting spirits.

Devendra Banhart-Amazing lyricist. Great tunes. Again, dancing happens.

F. Lunaire- More London magic. Piano man with enchanted fingers.
A bit of a random eclectic selection, but I just had to share some names that I didn't see.

Gogol Bordello
P:ano
Weakerthans
Spoon (I saw them listed already, but I have to endorse the selection)
... And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
Estradasphere

A mix of up/down, hard/soft, vocal/instrumental. I've heard all at various coffee shops and certain coffee companies. ;-)
A band called Ours. Their first three albums are nothing short of amazing, think Jeff Buckley voice with catchier music. Unfortunately I just got back from their show, and they seem to be in a musical drought at the moment, something along the lines of a tribal jam band... I can only hope they figure something out soon.

On a side note, has anyone ever heard of Tindersticks? They are kind of like meatloaf gone wrong...er (think lougny). Always fun to just put on as a joke.
These Choices are all over the place...but all worth checking out...

Bonobo
Mana Chau
Minus the Bear
Adele
Blockhead
Kings of Leon
Alexi Murdoch
Brett Dennen
M. Ward
Harmonic 33
Citizen Cope
The Good & Bad & The Queen
Beirut
Peter Bjorn and John
American Analog Set
Sam Prekop
Kevin Gilbert - Prog Rock
Dntel - his album "Dumb Luck" is a series of collaborations with the likes of Jenny Lewis, Conor Oberst, and Grizzly Bear.

Swan Lake - Dan Bejar from Destroyer (elsewhere on this thread), Spencer Krug from Wolf Parade (on this thread, too?) and some other guy that's not nearly as well-known.

The Dodos - about a third of their album, Visiter, is, in my opinion, complete shit. The other two-thirds is amazing.

And I second The Dirty Projectors.
I am really digging the new Ratatat. It's great for a coffeehouse....
Jason I thought you said bands other people havent heard of, I've heard of all of those!! But I guess you & I run in alot of the same circles. Are you saying Aaron Sprinkle fronts Eisley? or the Aaron's Bands name is This Pacific NW? Cause I didnt know Aaron fronted Eisley. Aaron is great & I've loved everything he's done. Was just listening to For the Love of Our Country the other day.
I would also suggest Vigilantes of Love & Bill Mallonee. Great Athens GA singer/songwriter. From Memphis & Nashville, TN the great Drew Holcolmb. Also Richard Buckner (no relation). A few bands that are a little more known but not by many people:
The Old 97s
Ryan Adams
Wilco
The Jayhawks
Whiskeytown
Uncle Tupelo
Son Volt

All good AltCountry music. A couple of Memphis folk along the AltCountry style: Lucero & Cory Branan & The Silent Parade (some of the old members of Retrospect). I've got tons but these are most of what Im listening to lately.
Mitch,
I know alot of people haven't heard of the bands I posted. I think we must run in the same circles, because I could ask 10 people who Eisley is, and no one would know them. I posted that Fair was fronted by Aaron Sprinkle. And I agree with the VOL/Bill Mallonee suggestion, he is a friend of mine, and I have admired his songwriting for 10 years. And kudos on your other choices, all Alt-country-folk choices are good for the right shop!

Mitch Buckner - Bella Caffe said:
Jason I thought you said bands other people havent heard of, I've heard of all of those!! But I guess you & I run in alot of the same circles. Are you saying Aaron Sprinkle fronts Eisley? or the Aaron's Bands name is This Pacific NW? Cause I didnt know Aaron fronted Eisley. Aaron is great & I've loved everything he's done. Was just listening to For the Love of Our Country the other day.
I would also suggest Vigilantes of Love & Bill Mallonee. Great Athens GA singer/songwriter. From Memphis & Nashville, TN the great Drew Holcolmb. Also Richard Buckner (no relation). A few bands that are a little more known but not by many people: The Old 97s Ryan Adams
Wilco
The Jayhawks
Whiskeytown
Uncle Tupelo
Son Volt

All good AltCountry music. A couple of Memphis folk along the AltCountry style: Lucero & Cory Branan & The Silent Parade (some of the old members of Retrospect). I've got tons but these are most of what Im listening to lately.
dont tell anybody, but ive been rocking biggie smalls "ready to die" and the customers dig it up. im in my enviroment when its on, so mabey it makes a better experience for everybody. but then again, mabey not...
Philly represent'n':
-Normal Love
-Hermit Thrushes
-Ben Schachter
-Miraclefeet
-Kurt Rosenwinkel
-Vincent Persichetti

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