I actually like performing with no-name brands. I usually go to a second hand store and pick up a few decks for 50 cents apiece. I've had some people throw me suspicious looks when I use standard rider back, because they're aware of the buttload of gaffs for the deck. But with a beaten up Hoyl deck, I rarely get accused of using a tricked deck.
Cardistry is an entirely different story. The cooler, the better (so long as the handling doesn't suck).
There's many inexpensive alternatives that would be "not the same old Rider Backs" and at the same time not some precious, rare deck that's a full-custom job and which you would guard with your life (and some might find either unfamiliar or suspect).
A few come to mind:
Bicycle Guardians (either USPC-branded or T11 second version; same low price)
Bicycle WSOP red & black (bonus: they're traditionally cut)
Walgreens Play-Right decks (despite one color being standard-face and the other being jumbo)
Bee (available cheaply in bulk from T11 and elsewhere)
Tally Ho (same as Bee; Circle Back is easier to find - and has a subtle one-way mark!)
Aviator (I think D&D still carry them - smooth finish, quality on par with Bicycle)
Hoyle
Bicycle Limited Edition #2
Bicycle 125th Anniversary (red and blue)
Streamline (also on par with Bikes, and smooth - WalMart carries them for 99c/pack!)
Bicycle Alzheimer's Assoc.
USPC-branded Steampunks in brass and silver
Bicycle Archangels
Bicycle Wounded Warrior
Bicycle Dragon Backs (three colors)
Bicycle Eco Edition
Bicycle Pink Ribbon (current edition)
Bicycle Leaf Backs (red and green)
Every single one of the decks listed above is currently in print, in stock and sold fairly inexpensively. The range in prices is in the ballpark of 99c up to around $5 a pack, and many are available for a discount in bulk. Most if not all of these decks are in stock at Wingra Direct (shopbicyclecards.com), a subsidiary of USPC.
That's a huge amount of variety, all interesting in that they're not Bicycle Standards, and very reasonably priced for performance use - you can wear out or otherwise destroy these decks without crying over how much they cost. Most have standard USPC faces, though a few are a little more custom and many have unique Aces.