I know what you mean.

This probably doesnt fit here, but I feel I have to mention Butch Walker. He used to front a band called Marvelous 3, who had a hit with "Freak Of The Week" before being dumped by their record label and splitting up to keep the friendship. He released an album last year, "left Of Self-Centered" which would be described as power-pop/punk-pop whatever(not the Blink182 type tho) but not commericially succesful, basically cos he never misses a chance to badmouth MTV/Clear Channel etc. He produces some punk-pop bands and had a hit a while back with a song he wrote for Bowling for Soup and hes apparently gonna produce/co-write Avril Lavignes new album and he was asked to audition for the ex-Guns N Roses members band but refused. Anyway enough of his biography, you should download "Suburbia" "If (Jeannie's Song)" "Sober" all availible free from his own site http://www.butchwalker.com

The guitar work is great too, check out his solos in "Alicia Amnesia" and "Get Down"