I love the darker things in life and art; beautiful things are often born of pain and sorrow. The trials of life define us, and art is our expression of that journey. Scars are souvenirs that never fade. Pictures are memories, and I write poems to myself.

My name is Matthew Dakota Brammer (born Matthew David Peck), though I am also known by the nickname of Axl. I'm 6'2", 160 lbs, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

I'm a musician, a producer/engineer, a writer, and a business manager. I attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2007-2008 for Audio Engineering, Live Sound, and Music Business. My past resume also includes internet radio DJing, indie label ownership and management, and website/forum moderation. I play guitar, piano, bass, drums, and do vocals (both clean and harsh), and am currently involved in a soft rock band (The Challis Effect, based in Laramie, Wyoming and Challis, Idaho) and a progressive death metal band (Constantine, based in Laramie, Wyoming)...and have been a part of several past bands and solo projects, ranging from black metal to soft rock.

I have also been involved in various sports, including hockey, MMA, and stock car racing. I am also an active fire dancer. In addition, I also take an amateur interest in photography, modelling, and political blogging.

I have three children from 2 previous relationships...two boys, Corey Taylor Peck and Alexander Tristan Peck (ages 7 and 4) [from my first marriage], and a little girl, Adriana Lee Kivi (age 3)[with VF member vampiressLover].

I've been through a lot. Many of us have. I have a lot of baggage, insecurities, and a shady past. I've been through many struggles. Again, many of us have. However, I believe that everything is a choice, including how you choose to move forward in life, learn from the past, and move towards the future. My current life is the result of determination, hard work, and perseverance. It isn't easy, and it isn't perfect, but we all choose our own destiny and create our own fate and have the opportunity to make things better. I've accepted responsibility for the choices I've made, and I've moved forward with the knowledge that I, and no one else, control where my life leads from here. My "No Regrets" tattoo is a symbol of the things I have lost and gained, and of the fact that in the end, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am extremely tolerant, and I try to be as diplomatic as possible. I am a peacekeeper; I try to stand up for what is right and I am loyal to those who try in life...the best they can, the best they know how, with what is given to them. I will defend you, even if I disagree with you, if it is the right thing to do.

I truly believe we are all equal as human beings. I do not need to earn your respect; you do not need to earn mine. It should be given by default unless it is proven one of us deserves otherwise. We are all free and equal and deserving of the same right from our first breath, and no master, slave, politician, god, or government can dictate otherwise.

However, on the same token, my patience has its limits. Naïvité, willful ignorance, pretentiousness, immaturity, racism, bigotry, arrogance, prejudice, and hatefulness have no place at my table.

Ultimately, though, I do have a sense of humour, and I try not to take things too seriously, especially on here...and neither should you. It's the fucking internet. I routinely say things that piss people off, and vice versa. But hey, the world would be a very uninteresting place if we all agreed on everything and there was no one and nothing to make fun of.

On a closing note, I'm pretty much married to this site; I'm a member of the street team as well as several cults. However, I also have a very active personal life, careers, and a family of my own, so please don't take offense if I don't respond to you right away. I try to respond to everyone, and in a timely manner, but sometimes it's just not possible. Still, feel free to message me or ask any questions you might have.