re: Helmet - 08/09 @ The Station in Lafayette

Freebird is a GREAT venue. They don't get quite as many heavy shows as I might like but I've seen Clutch there twice, COC and Crowbar together, Soulfly, Cannibal Corpse, and a few more. So they do bring some heaviness, but not in great numbers. They bring a lot of different genres though. So there have been many great shows there for all different kinds of fans. Don't know if you've been in there yet but I love the setup. Fair amount of room on the floor with a wrap around balcony up top where you can line the rail and watch from. VERY intimate and perfect for a group like Clutch. Capacity is 700.

I've seen a number of great shows at a much smaller place too, called Jackrabbits. It's in San Marco. Capacity of 300. Complete dive but with better sound than you'd think walking in the door. They've pulled some really good shows for their size. I saw Helmet open up for the Toadies there two years ago. The last two times Exodus has been to town this is where they played. Fishbone has been through, just to name a very few.

The place Helmet played last night is called Underbelly. It was my first time there. They're really just now starting to bring in bigger name groups. It's right downtown on Bay St. The place itself seems pretty cool. I liked it. Helmet did have some pretty significant sound issues through the first half of their set. Don't know what to attribute that to. But I think this place has promise.

There's a place called Brewster's Megaplex. On University right by Arlington Expressway. Haven't been there yet. From what I've heard, I'm not sure it's managed very well.

And as with most towns I'm sure, a number of other venues (good and bad) have come and gone over the years.

This is by no means all the venues in town. But as far as bands like Helmet, most likely it would be one of these places.