We're starting to get a picture of the situation that saw AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd get arrested yesterday on charges that he allegedly tried to hire someone to murder two people*. Although the whole story has yet to be told, a new interview portrays Rudd as the "Hugh Hefner of Tauranga," the New Zealand town where Rudd has lived for more than 30 years.

* 11/7 Update: the procuring-murder charge against Rudd has been dropped. Three other charges remain. Details here.

The Sydney Morning Herald, through its parent company Fairfax Media, spoke with the man whom Rudd allegedly tried to hire. He says that Rudd wanted to add him to his stable of bodyguards as he was planning a trip to London to work with AC/DC. Apparently, Rudd has been receiving threats recently due to the female company he keeps.

"The girls that he gets, working girls and that, their partners get pissed off," the man, whose name cannot be published per court orders, said. "He tells them 'Nah, I'm not paying you,' and then the partners come and say they want their money ...The amount he spends on company is like someone's yearly wage ... He's the Hugh Hefner of Tauranga."

Rudd was charged yesterday with attempting to procure a murder, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill. He was released on bail and will be back in court in three weeks. Earlier today, the other members of the band issued a statement that read, "We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album ‘Rock or Bust‘ and upcoming tour next year.”

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