A MUSICAL duo are aiming to unearth the "next big thing" in Bromsgrove with the opening of their own recording studio.

Adam McEwan and Melvin Banner, who play together in local band Hybrid, fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening MSB Studios last month.

The studio, based on the Sanders Road Industrial Estate, holds three rehearsal rooms, and a 24-track digital mixing desk where people can record their own songs.

The pair, who themselves have been musicians on the local circuit for over 20 years, assist bands with everything from recording to cover design and promotional work.

They have a long term ambition of hand-picking the area's finest young musicians to form a supergroup, managing them and guiding them towards the big time.

"We want to get the right group of musicians together, get the out on the road and get them heard, and help them with their recordings and management," said Adam.

"At the moment we are keeping our ears to the ground."

The dream of owning a studio came to life after Melvin was made redundant by MG Rover last year.

Adam decided to leave his factory job a Pro-Pack in Astwood Bank and join his bandmate.

Having invested a lot of time and money into the project, Adam believes the gamble is starting to pay off.

"It was a big risk for both of us but we are so passionate about our music," he said.

"There are a lot of talented musicians in this area and we wanted to give them the chance to do something we never got to do

"We have a band of 16-year-olds coming in at the moment, who have decided to form a band because there is now a facility for them to use.

"They don't have much experience in the studio so we help them as much as we can."

For more information visit www.msbstudios.com.

by Dan Harrison