Troubled AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd may have had the murder plot charges against him dropped, but the musician is still before New Zealand courts on charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. Nevertheless, Rudd is demanding a clean reputation and his job back.
He played on the band's recently released album Rock or Bust, but has been unable to promote the record due to his legal situation. "I'm going back to work with AC/DC and I don't care who likes it or who doesn't," he told New Zealand's One News [via the Guardian]. "I want my job back and I want my reputation back."
The drummer is alleged to have phoned a contractor on September 26 and threatened to kill the man and his 10-year-old daughter. It is also alleged that Rudd called a business associate a day prior to discuss what he wanted done to the victims of the threats. When police raided Rudd's house on November 6, the aforementioned illegal substances were discovered.
Following the initial murder plot charges, Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey issued a statement, which reads: "Mr. Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified. The damage to Mr. Rudd is incalculable. Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him with attempting to procure murder."
Despite the original charges being dropped, Rudd is still due back in court on February 10 for the death threat charges.
When asked about Rudd's status in the band back in November, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young told the Guardian, "At this stage, it's a pretty tough call for us."
He played on the band's recently released album Rock or Bust, but has been unable to promote the record due to his legal situation. "I'm going back to work with AC/DC and I don't care who likes it or who doesn't," he told New Zealand's One News [via the Guardian]. "I want my job back and I want my reputation back."
The drummer is alleged to have phoned a contractor on September 26 and threatened to kill the man and his 10-year-old daughter. It is also alleged that Rudd called a business associate a day prior to discuss what he wanted done to the victims of the threats. When police raided Rudd's house on November 6, the aforementioned illegal substances were discovered.
Following the initial murder plot charges, Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey issued a statement, which reads: "Mr. Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified. The damage to Mr. Rudd is incalculable. Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him with attempting to procure murder."
Despite the original charges being dropped, Rudd is still due back in court on February 10 for the death threat charges.
When asked about Rudd's status in the band back in November, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young told the Guardian, "At this stage, it's a pretty tough call for us."
