Charge more. Put your minimum price for you to walk in the door is a set amount. This should work out to some amount per person (including the caller if it is a gig that needs the caller.)

As one guy in my five piece band (a reformed "variety band" player) explained - we can play $25 a man "smokey dive bar" gigs every night, and $150 a man "country club" gigs every other weekend. Does your band want be a "smokey dive bar" band or a "country club" band?

They're makin' money from your, you need to put beans and rice on the table, too...

Pete