my point, not well made I grant you, waffling and all that, was not big label vs indie but not necessarily Warners, there were, and are, other big labels around, or at least ones with enough clout. Also that Drummond had some sort of vision, and could talk his way to cash. I dont think the band had any vision beyond wanting to be in a band. Which is a good approach, quality wise. But now, they seem to be surrounded by a bunch of mates who are no more than road managers (obviously, file that one under under wtf do I know) and there is nobody in that pivotal role.
And as to the question, why do they bother, well I think that after thirty years you have to accept thats what they do, and presumably they make enough money at it to carry on. Plus there must be a few bob in those soundtracks (though a couple of adverts wouldn't go amiss). Plus it seems that these days they are given a sort of grudging respect both by the press and the telly.