This post was updated Jan 22 at 7:41 p.m.

In the bustling Los Angeles music scene, Learn To Forget seeks to redefine the modern band experience.

Learn To Forget is a UCLA-based indie punk band that strives to revive the rock and roll perception while pushing genre barriers in putting on a show. Founded by Eddie Huante, an alumnus and the band’s lead vocalist, the group combines ska, punk and rock musical influences, blending rebellious energy with its own modern take, Huante said. The band’s music evokes a wide range of feelings, Huante said, as it aims to capture subtle emotions with his approach to songwriting. The trio pushes boundaries with improvisation and dynamic performances, striking a chord with audiences at backyard shows and live performances, he added.

“Human emotions are so much more than just happy or sad,” Huante said. “There’s infinite emotions between being happy or being sad. And as you learn more chords and more music theory, there’s so many more chords other than just major and minor, … and I find that those really bring out emotions.”

[Related: UCLA alumnus Manisha Wanniappa forges music career, capturing emotions in song]

Lyrically, Huante’s songs delve into a spectrum of emotions, capturing vulnerability and self-reflection, he said. Reflecting on a standout track, Huante said he is proud of the song “I Don’t Know Anymore,” which was written during the COVID-19 pandemic and reflected the uncertainty and isolation of the time. He said his goal is not just to make music, but to create songs that connect emotionally with listeners and challenge the perception that rock is a genre of the past.

Drummer Beau Azuma, a fourth-year design media arts student, said he met Huante through being randomly assigned as roommates in university housing. What began as casual jam sessions in their shared apartment evolved to something bigger, as Azuma said the pair had started building Learn To Forget by the following year.

Drawing on a diverse palette of influences, Learn To Forget partially infuses the reggae fusion of the band Sublime, Azuma said. Ska’s unique rhythms served as the foundation for many of the band’s tracks, drawing from a genre that Azuma said he found both exciting and challenging as a drummer. Another pivotal influence came from The Doors, whose UCLA ties resonated deeply with the group, Huante said.

“Writing … comes from within, it’s something you don’t really have control over,” Huante said. “That’s kind of what I’m learning. Especially when you’re a young artist, you have a lot you want to say, you have a lot of feelings about the world, and the songs that just come out of that you can’t really force.”

Live performances have added to the core of Learn To Forget’s identity, Azuma said. Each show is a dynamic experience, Huante said, as the band feeds off the energy of the crowd and adapts its set to the vibe of the room. Bassist Paix Auslander, a third-year musicology student, said the band’s style emphasizes fun and spontaneity. The group’s performances are marked by a playful looseness, Huante said, allowing for moments of experimentation that make each performance unique. Whether it’s Huante screaming into the microphone during a ska-punk cover of “Monkey Man” by The Specials or the entire band diving into an impromptu jam session, the trio’s stage presence exudes a contagious enthusiasm that draws the audience in, Auslander said.

Like many emerging bands, Learn To Forget has faced its fair share of challenges, Azuma said. With members now scattered across LA, coordinating rehearsals and performances can be a logistical feat, Azuma said. However, whether it be balancing school commitments, long drives to distant gigs or hauling heavy equipment for shows, he said these difficulties haven’t dampened the band’s commitment to music.

[Related: Alumni rock band MyVeronica pursues catharsis with live shows, new single]

Following the release of the band’s debut EP, “Bluest of Nights,” in July, Huante said he is determined to help the band keep reaching new heights. Mentored by a KCRW radio station employee, Huante said he is working on new material to transition from covers to a setlist rich with original songs. He said he hopes to challenge the perception of rock and bring back live performances that demonstrate a skill set from trained musicians.

“A lot of it’s going to be growth off the first five songs that I recorded at UCLA because I was still learning how to work in the studio,” Huante said. “Now, I’m excited to show a lot of maturity in this next project – maturity in my voice and my singing, my guitar playing, my songwriting – and now that I’m graduated, kind of take things beyond UCLA and beyond the college realm.”

Each step forward has been intentional for Learn To Forget, Huante said. Their music is more than just a creative outlet – it’s a way to bring people together and challenge the boundaries of genre and performance, he said. As the band prepares for its next chapters, Huante said the members carry the earned confidence from their time and dedication.

“Something I’ve learned is that things will happen the way they’re meant to be,” Huante said. “So the fact that it took longer than I thought, it was like, ‘I’m not working for nothing, hard work does pay off,’ and I just need to keep that mentality going forward.”