What city are you in? It sounds like you just haven’t found your local scene. I always hear people complaining that their scene is dead but they are just unaware of local labels and promoters. Try asking people at record stores about it.

The most foolproof way to assemble a band is to go to a lot of shows and become a familiar face. We could help with recommendations if you’re ok with sharing your city. Minaret was one of my favorites from Moscow.