Playing with people not at the level you are...

[jumbodbassman]

tough to find good players that want to lay onluy once a month and not gig unless this is project 4 for most of them. I think that is the reality you need to deal with

 

[Downunderwonder]

Sounds like a leadership vacuum, to me. You have a ready-made opportunity to step up, and lay down the law. Everyone work on their parts independently, especially if this is a cover project, or you will consider the whole thing a waste of your time. The music is available via the internet, as are lessons. If someone is unwilling to put in the solo practice time, to get better, then kick 'em. One of two things will happen, if you do this: You will either be labelled a DB, and kicked from a band that will promptly go nowhere, or you will eventually be the BL of a band with potential, and you will then be able to play as much or as little as you would like. As soon as you get buy-in from one other band member, designate that person as your second. Make them handle recruiting better players, in the event that someone else decides to bail.

Now whose expectations are out of step with reality? OP has aims totally incompatible with the band.

Say OP whips them into shape with one rehearsal a month, what then? He has to come out of retirement or get deposed.