I have to say that the Sonics have pretty much been a blast at least live.  ? and the Mysterians were really good too in my opinion. For lesser known bands, album wise, the Alarm Clocks sound real good.  I saw a youtube with the Knight Riders of "I" fame that was real decent.  But I haven't really been privy to a lot else going on so I really can't give an opinion. But I've liked what I have heard or seen of these groups.

The Monks, definitely! Not just the best reformed live act I've seen, but one of the best shows I've seen in my entire life.
After that are The Remains.
Oh, and July were pretty pretty decent this last summer. The evoked quite well the atmosphere of THE album, what is not an easy task.