5 best underrated or unknown bands and why?

Tim Mahoney, a Midwest regional band based out of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN). He has a website. They do covers and original music.

Exit, a Midwest regional band based out of Waukesha, WI. They too have a Website (www.exitmusic.com). Covers and original music.

Don't know 5 but have 10.

1. Can
2. Residents
3. Cul De Sac
4. Nina Hagen Band
5. Curlew
6. Lounge Lizards
7. Material
8. Praxis
9. Pere Ubu
10.Kluster

mhirtandir. maybe one of the best american rock synphonic band

Again we fall into problems with definitions and depends how knowledgable you are about music.
Lambchop are widely known and touted in the press all the time,turning up constantly in the end of year lists.
They probably make a good to decent living out of music too.
Gomez there was a big buzz about in the UK on their debut release.
Can are one of the most touted avant-garde bands of all time and had a hit single!
The Residents too are in a similar bracket.

Gene - Artistic guitar rock. All great albums. You should start with the first one.