re: Was early 2000’s the greatest era of local band scene in BR?

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No. The late 80’s and early 90’s saw national acts appear at varsity...

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Some local talent in the 80's:

U.S. Times
The Human Rayz
Lower Chakras - Tim Parrish from the Human Rayz
Dash Rip Rock - Bill Davis from the Human Rayz
The Dick Nixons - crazy school teacher/s from Donaldsonville, who had a short school bus painted black-n-white checkerboard as their tour bus - Mojo Nixon was a fan of theirs, I think they opened for him a few times
Blue Light Special
Tabby Thomas - who still played at the Blue's Box all the time
Chris Thomas (King) - Tabby's Son, who is featured on the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack)
Beausoleil - even back then they had been around forever
Picket Line Coyotes - from Shreveport

There were a lot of other bands, someone else can fill-in the blanks on those.

Tons of regional bands played at The Chimes (before those guys bought The Varsity):
Georgia Satellites - were ALWAYS sold-out at the Chimes, long before they had their hit
Drivin' n Cryin'
Alex Chilton
Eric Johnson
Tail Gators
True Believers
Brave Combo - a polka-rock band from Dallas always put on a good show
Evan Johns and the H-Bombs

Lots more, but my memory of that era is often fuzzy.

Anyway, it was a good time to live on Chimes Street.