Heavy Cello

A cello can sound a lot like Slayer. Minnesota cellist Aaron Kerr counts that band among his many influences, alongside Pablo Casals and Miles Davis. Kerr’s original compositions include modern classical pieces, free jazz and ambient avant-garde weirdness, and he tweaks his instruments with an array of pedal effects to create a gigantic sound that can overtake a venue like the Record Bar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207) with the force of a metal band. Tonight, he performs compositions from three albums with his bands the Swallows and the Sleeper Pins. Also on the bill are Lawrence experimental rockers Realpolitik and Kansas City songwriter Andrew Foshee. Tickets cost $7 for the 10 p.m. show.

Tue., July 28, 2009