Maybe it`s due to lack of gigging opportunities as venues decide more & more that they can`t afford bands - though the pub I went to see a covers band in a few weeks back was heaving, and only so because of said band (that prob got £250).
I stopped for a while... but it was just a much needed break for inspiration. I thought it was forever, but it didn't work out that way. Hard to resist the call of the bass!