AC/DC: Phil Rudd 'put us in a spot'

Phil Rudd still faces charges of threatening to kill and drugs possession.

Australian rockers AC/DC have said Phil Rudd's absence following his arrest will not affect their world tour or upcoming album, Rock or Bust.

The drummer was arrested last Thursday for attempting to arrange a double murder but the charges were dropped 24 hours later when the New Zealand prosecutor ruled there was insufficient evidence.

Rudd still faces a charge of threatening to kill, which comes with a maximum prison term of seven years, and charges of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana.

AC/DC's Angus Young and Cliff Williams told USA Today that they found it hard to get Rudd into the studio to record Rock or Bust, and they initially couldn't move forward. "It put us in a spot," said Young.

He added: "Phil created his own situation. It's a hard thing to say about the guy. He's a great drummer, and he's done a lot of stuff for us.

"I don't know the exact situation. ... I can only say, from our perspective, that the guy needs to sort himself out."

In the video for AC/DC's latest single, Play Ball, Rudd's place is taken by Bob Richards. Stevie Young is also introduced as replacement Malcolm Young, who left the band this year.

Earlier this week Rudd's family broke their silence for the first time since his controversial arrest in New Zealand last week.

His son, Thomas Rudd, defended his father. "All I will say is that my dad is a good guy. He's not perfect but wouldn't harm anyone," he told Daily Mail Australia.