'I'm going to be back' - Phil Rudd

Phil Rudd says he's unsure if he will play with AC/DC when they come to New Zealand. Photo / Twitter, Michael Morrah

Embattled rocker Phil Rudd has opened up for a mumbling and expletive-laden television interview.

The AC/DC drummer is presently serving out an eight-month home detention sentence after last month being convicted on charges of threatening to kill and possessing methamphetamine and cannabis.

He is now facing an additional charge of breaching his sentencing conditions, by possessing and consuming alcohol, after being arrested at his Harbour Drive home last month.
He pleaded not guilty to breaching those conditions at the Tauranga District Court last week.

In the interview with 3D reporter Michael Morrah that aired on TV3 tonight, Rudd spoke - at times incoherently - of the stress of owning his Tauranga bar, Phil's Place.

Intoxicated patrons were "f****** painful," he said.

His lawyer argued a threatening phone call that landed him before the court was just a burst of anger, and Rudd told 3D his face-to-face apology to the man was accepted.

"I expected to get a discharge without conviction and get on a plane and go straight back to f****** work," he said.

However, his brushes with the law meant he was unable to perform with AC/DC on their current world tour.

Rudd said he was not sure if he would play with the band when they came to New Zealand.

He also showed viewers his expansive luxury car collection and gave other insights into the luxury rock'n'roll lifestyle he affords, including his waterfront mansion.

When asked if it was "fun being Phil Rudd", he replied: "Aww, f*** yeah".

His Ferrari was a fine substitute for a wife, he said.

Footage included Rudd driving one of his luxury vehicles to the court house wearing an AC/DC-emblazoned leather jacket with a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth.

He said his "fans are everything" and when asked if he had a message for them, he smacked his fist and said, "Never give up".

Rudd said he's getting psychiatric help and has suffered from anxiety and depression.

He said his priority was to "get my job back, get back on the road and make a lot of money".

He added: "I'm going to be back. I've never felt better."

Fan reactions on Twitter

If #philrudd isn't n excellent example of why not to do drugs... I'm Dorothy and I'm living back n Kansas #3D @TV3nz

— Dale Evans (@dalejohnevans) August 9, 2015

Can't decide who is harder to understand- Phil Rudd or TK Samuels. #3DTV3

— Dominic Harvey (@DomHarvey) August 9, 2015

This Phil Rudd story is really interesting, but he's not a very good subject for an interview...

— James Cardno (@jamescardno) August 9, 2015

'Your wife leaves you, doesn't matter, you can take this car to bed with you... so sexual' Phil Rudd on his Ferrari @3D_TV3 right now #ACDC

— Tova O'Brien (@TovaOBrien) August 9, 2015