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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Something I've come across recently is She & Him. This is Zooey Dechanel & M. Ward. Zooey at least partially writes some of the songs & it all seems like a throwback to old country/classical vocals. Just a good overall CD. She's got a great voice (think back to the Elf when she's singing "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Leon Redbone).

I've also been listening to alot of Teddy Thompson (Linda & Richard Thompson's boy) Again, a throwback of old country & a great voice.

Right now Im listening to Brian "Head" Welch (formerly of Korn). May not be something I would play regularly in a shop but at certain times, I may go a little harder. Not as hard as Korn & great lyrics. Recently "Head" was Radically saved & set free of drugs so this CD is his testimony along with a book or 2 he's written about his Christianity.

A few Punk Country bands to check out (Punktry as I call it):
Slobberbone
The Weight (out of New York)
Thrift Store Cowboys
Drag the River

I dont remember if I mentioned these guys but I probably already did
Over the Rhine
Richard Buckner
Michael Knott, LSU, Lifesavors, LS Underground & Aunt Betty's (Double is one of the greatest songs ever written).

Hey Jason, I heard one that really brought back some memories yesterday. Hoi Polloi! You remember them? Also was listening to alot of DA, Daniel Amos, The Choir, The Prayer Chain, Lost Dogs, Youth Choir, Terry Taylor, Gene Eugene, Adam Again, & others. Found a great station on Live365.
MewithoutYou
Iron & Wine (duh)
Jeremy Egnik
The Gloria Record
Enigk*
My customers constantly tell me they love the Electronic and Fusion Jazz we play. Mostly 25 to 45 year old customers from the Northwest.
Yes, I met Hoi Polloi years ago when they did an in-store when I was a music manager for a bookstore. Cool peeps. Also The Prayer Chain, one of my favorite bands of all time. Saw them live three times, and all were incredible, moving experiences. Also dig The Choir, loved their stuff when I was in college. Their CD "Speckled Bird" is amazing, and "Beautiful, Scandolous Night" is one of the best songs in that whole genre. Leigh Nash from Sixpence does a version of it that is wicked sweet. Thanks for the trip down Memory Road!

Mitch Buckner - Bella Caffe said:
Something I've come across recently is She & Him. This is Zooey Dechanel & M. Ward. Zooey at least partially writes some of the songs & it all seems like a throwback to old country/classical vocals. Just a good overall CD. She's got a great voice (think back to the Elf when she's singing "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Leon Redbone).

I've also been listening to alot of Teddy Thompson (Linda & Richard Thompson's boy) Again, a throwback of old country & a great voice.

Right now Im listening to Brian "Head" Welch (formerly of Korn). May not be something I would play regularly in a shop but at certain times, I may go a little harder. Not as hard as Korn & great lyrics. Recently "Head" was Radically saved & set free of drugs so this CD is his testimony along with a book or 2 he's written about his Christianity.

A few Punk Country bands to check out (Punktry as I call it):
Slobberbone
The Weight (out of New York)
Thrift Store Cowboys
Drag the River

I dont remember if I mentioned these guys but I probably already did
Over the Rhine
Richard Buckner
Michael Knott, LSU, Lifesavors, LS Underground & Aunt Betty's (Double is one of the greatest songs ever written).

Hey Jason, I heard one that really brought back some memories yesterday. Hoi Polloi! You remember them? Also was listening to alot of DA, Daniel Amos, The Choir, The Prayer Chain, Lost Dogs, Youth Choir, Terry Taylor, Gene Eugene, Adam Again, & others. Found a great station on Live365.
mewithoutyou
so called heist
gunther and the sunshine girls
andras schiff
beat crusaders
mongolian chop squad
(and to some extent) no more kings
Some of my faves:
Minus the Bear
Polaris
Postal Service
John Frusciant- We all know him but have you ever listen to his solo albums while he was still on Drugs? There amazing!
Sounds like we run in the same circles too (Aaron Sprinkle with Fair and whatnot). so you may know these already but...

As Cities Burn, harder stuff, but excellent.
Brothers Martin
Kevin Max
M83
The Myriad
Neon Horse
Pedro the Lion
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Starflyer 59
Sufjan Stevens
Yeah, I like the Brothers Martin. Wish it was a little more balanced between jason and ronnie, but oh, well. Glad it finally happened. I tell you another good one, the first solo CD from James Iha, previously of Smashing Pumpkins. His CD, "Let It Come Down" is a great coffeehouse record.

TheDeadWake said:
Sounds like we run in the same circles too (Aaron Sprinkle with Fair and whatnot). so you may know these already but...

As Cities Burn, harder stuff, but excellent.
Brothers Martin
Kevin Max
M83
The Myriad
Neon Horse
Pedro the Lion
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Starflyer 59
Sufjan Stevens
elton john
mozart
pulp fiction
the bible
ikea
flight wheel.
Some of these have been mentioned, but I'll give them a second or third vote:
Deerhoof
Cloud Cult
Beirut
Blonde Redhead
Calexico
Flunk
Trevor Hall. A friend of mine introduced me to him, because he has been a family friend of theirs for a long time. He opens for Modisyahu who is also great. Trevor has a cd out that you can pick up at most places.

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