5 best underrated or unknown bands and why?

Here are my favorite record companies, I'm sure you can find
many unknown bands within their sites:
http://www.projekt.com/ (my favorites: Mira, Lycia)
http://www.cleorecs.com/ (Hevanly Voices; Switchblade Symphony; Tributes to the Cure, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Pink Floyd.
http://www.jenniferhope.com/ (beautiful voice from some above compilation cds)

Michael Hashim, while not new or really "unknown", I feel should be heard and appreciated by more people. He's a tenor, alto jazz sax player and has a few discs out. I especially enjoy "A Blue Streak" which has some pretty good B-3 organ played by Mike LeDonne. Hashim is fine player and at times on alto reminds me of Joe Farrell at Farrell's best. Cheers, Lee

How 'bout Cul De Sac?
I heard them the first time with Damo Suzuki(of Can) and was impressed of them not less than known to me Damo Suzuki.
I immediately ordered their albums and am always full of joy listening.

The Alex Harvey Band... nuff said.

I am also not sure If Ben will put if the cuffs on me, but be on the lookout for Dallas' own, Polyphonic Spree. Their Christmas party was one of the best shows I've seen, and their popularity is rising quickly.