5 best underrated or unknown bands and why?

Have to agree with Garebear about the Pousette Dart Band. Fantastic and underappreciated group.

One that has not been mentioned, and that I'm listening to now, is Martin Stephenson. "Boat to Bolivia" is one of the greatest neurotic folk/rock albums of all time.

Cpdunn99, did Chris Barry play Martin Stephen (and the Dainties, I believe) for you? Just wondering as I remember that record from a long time ago and will have to find it again as it is a good listen for sure.

I recommend: The Bad Plus, (I may have spelled Plus wrong) but this is one jamming jazz trio with piano, bass and drums that is very dynamic with lots of talent and a little alternative. This group is hard to describe but if it sounds like maybe your cup of tea you should give it a listen as my description is not doing it justice I promise.

BTW the Bad Plus may not meet with Ben Campbell's criteria of an obscure group, but I am not very familiar with the critics and/or publics opinion, just my own (and they seemed obscure to me), and feel these groups are worth a mention.

phil, yes he did! And I went right to eBay and bought a couple of LPs!

Philjoilet you got me with Bad Plus........

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)