A Neon Rome was a Canadian alternative rock band formed in Toronto in 1984 by Neal Arbic. The group originally included John Borra, Ken Burchell, and Kevin Nizol, becoming a staple of the Queen Street West music scene and the house band for Elvis Mondays. Their live performances were noted for blending improvisational interplay with Arbic’s presence. In March 1987, the band released their debut album, New Heroin, to positive reviews from Sounds, NME, and Melody Maker. Although the group completed a second album, All the Children Are In, it was never released. The band’s final appearance occurred at the Rivoli around the 1989 release of the Bruce McDonald film Roadkill. The cult film fictionalized the group as “Children of Paradise” and was inspired by Arbic's existential crisis. Arbic later pursued a spiritual path, while other members joined the band Change of Heart.
