Love your idea.. I'm ALWAYS looking for something new and good. The following list includes some bands you may have heard of, but just in case, I threw them in there:
Flogging Molly -- similar to The Pogues. Could be my favorite band right now. Within a Mile of Home is the best album so far (to me)
Swamp Zombies -- out of print, but can be found on Amazon used. Fink was my favorite album. Similar to (sorta) the Violent Femmes
Pink Martini -- I've only heard one of the songs off their latest album (Hey Eugene/City of Night). It's got a very "cool/groovy" vibe to me.
The Queers -- Sophomoric punk band. Don't take them too seriously and have a good time. Love Songs for the Retarded would be where I'd start.
Clannad -- Enya's sister is the lead singer of this one.
The Bogmen -- Bought this in the cheap bin at my local used record store. I really really like it.
G Love & Special Sauce -- Laid back bluesy rock sorta band.
-- Big time guitar hard rock/punkish band. The CD I have (Dixie Fried Hillbilly) is no longer in print, but its a guitar monster.
Oysterhead -- Trey Anasticio from Phish, Les Clapool and Sterwart Copeland did a one off album. Way out there on them (Les is in the band after all). Totally dig it as I like off center stuff.
Rufus Wainwright - I've heard them described as a Band's band. I only have Want One so I can't say anything about the rest of the CD's. The CD overall is pretty good, but Oh What A World is awesome.
TV on the Radio -- The other band that is in the running for my favorite band. I only have their latest CD, but I like or love every song.
Warrior Soul -- I only have their first album, but it's another one I like or love every song. Pretty much a hard rock/semi punk band that was around in the 80's. One of my favorite tracks on the CD is a recitation of a poem.
Nekromantix -- I have a Pyschobilly CD sampler. They were my favorite on the disk. I keep meaning to get one of their CD's.
JCD