AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has talked with the media for the first time since he was arrested last month on charges of threatening to kill and possessing illegal drugs.  In an interview with New Zealand's ONE News Monday, the 60-year-old rocker insists that despite his legal troubles, he plans on returning to his famous band.

"I'm going back to work with AC/DC, I don't care who likes it or who doesn't," he declares.

Along with the charges he's currently facing, Rudd also initially was arrested for allegedly hiring someone to kill two people, although those charges were quickly dropped.  With regard to the murder-for-hire charge, Rudd calls it "ludicrous," adding, "As if I needed anyone to do that."

Addressing the media frenzy surrounding him and his impending court battle, Phil says, "This has just been a big ball of cheese, with the rats [running around] grabbing a piece.  That's just life, but that's not who I am."

He adds, "Everyone listens to the wrong people.  They should listen to me.  I'm a good guy, and I'm a pretty good drummer, by the way.  Ask [AC/DC guitarist] Angus [Young,] he'll tell you."

Before the end of the interview, Rudd again discusses his intention to rejoin AC/DC, who will be hitting the road next year for a world tour in support of its just-released album, Rock or Bust.

"I want my job back, I want my reputation back and I'm gonna get it back," he tells ONE News.  "I'm gonna f**king take it back.

Phil is due back in court in his adopted hometown of Tauranga, New Zealand in February.  As for his immediate plans, he tells ONE News, "I'm going fishing today, flying this afternoon and a lot of fornicating tonight."

In an interview with USA Today last month, Angus Young revealed that Rudd had been acting erratically while the band was recording Rock or Bust.  As for Phil's status with the group, Angus said, "I can only say, from our perspective, that the guy needs to sort himself out."

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