They don't mess around on Conel's Music Business course. Rather than relying on bigwigs in the industry to give them a chance, this years students are making things happen for themselves.

Students on the MBC, which is run in collaboration with Haringey Arts Council, have set up their very own independent record label First Seed Records and their first signing is tipped for great things.

The Drive are a four-piece melodic rock band based in Muswell Hill, who are smashing their way into the music scene with a vengeance. They already have a strong fan base and come July, will be competing in the final of prestigious music competition UK Unsigned at the Millennium Dome.  They are already getting noticed but if they win the competition, it will make them a very lucrative prospect indeed!

Not that its about money. First Seed is acting in a management capacity, offering The Drive the benefit of its members music industry backgrounds and the business, promotion and legal knowledge they have gained from the course. First Seeds A & R man Burnie Brightly, 45, said he and the other students jumped at the suggestion they set up their own record label.

Other key players include Jason-Jon Lacey, 33, Head of Marketing; Head of Promotions Queen Allen, 26 and Head of Business Peter Jones, 18.

All participants have experience in the field but the driving force is a total passion for music. Haringey has such a wealth of untapped talent that is just ripe for the guidance and direction an organisation like this can offer.

In order to sign the best performers possible, each person on the Music Business course had to bring two bands to the table. A series of tough auditions whittled down the acts to The Drive.

Burnie, who runs his own music studio in Hackney, says the band really has what it takes to make it big and their first single will be targeted towards listeners of Xfm and Radio One.

First Seed is also putting the band members through a makeover, getting new promotional pictures taken, sending out press releases and arranging strategic gigs. As First Seed, we are still in our infancy but we intend to become major players, says Burnie. We are going to make a big impact on the scene.

For more information about the Music Business Course, please contact Conel's course information hotline on 020 8442 3055 or go to www.conel.ac.uk and access the details via the course search. You can also download an application form here.