John Hasler

John Hasler is a British musician. He is best known for being the original drummer (and later lead vocalist then manager) for The North London Invaders, who in 1979 became Madness. He was also the original drummer for The Pogues from 1982 to 1983.

Early life Hasler attended William Ellis School in Highgate with future Madness members Chas Smash and Mark Bedford, and lived across the street from Smash. John was known as "Rockin’ Billy Whizz" as he had his hair styled in a blonde quiff.

The North London Invaders: 1976–1979 Hasler joined The North London Invaders in 1976, which at the time consisted of Mike Barson (keyboards), Chris Foreman (guitar), Lee Thompson (saxophone), and Cathal Smyth (bass). They were soon joined by Dikran Tulaine on vocals, before he was replaced by Graham "Suggs" McPherson, who was hired by Hasler. Hasler switched from drums to lead vocals in 1978, when Suggs was briefly kicked out of the group. Hasler only played two confirmed gigs as lead singer with The Invaders, both of which Suggs was in attendance of; he had been eager to rejoin the band, and when Hasler went on holiday to France that same year, the band called on Suggs to fill-in, eventually replacing Hasler. He hid £350 of the bands savings behind a loose brick, which was stolen by his flatmate Barry Watford, before it was retrieved by Barson and Smyth.

In November 1979, Hasler stopped managing Madness. In 1986, Madness disbanded, and a year later, Suggs, Smash, Thompson and Foreman formed The Madness. Hasler helped out the band by playing drums with them on Friday Night Live. In 1988, Hasler appeared as the drummer for the music video of Madness' single "I Pronounce You", although he did not play on the recording. about a man who comes into the narrators home, sleeps on his sofa, and is fed.

The Pogues: 1981–1983 In 1981, Hasler joined The Nips, led by Shane MacGowan, as a snare drummer. He was also in a punk/ska band called Guns for Hire, which later evolved into Department S. In 1982, Hasler became the first drummer for MacGowan's new band, The Pogues. He was present at their first gig at 100 Club in London on Friday 29 October 1982. By March 1983, the band had signed with Stiff records and he had been replaced by Andrew Ranken.