Blake and Sean Dickson (The Soup Dragons) were in The Faith Healers together, which also contained various members at different times: Stevie Gray, Hugh McLaughlin, Brian Carson and Colin Murray to name but a few.

Blake was a member of Glasgow group The Pretty Flowers with school friend Duglas T. Stewart, Frances McKee, Janice Cochrane and Sean Dickson.

In 1989 he formed Teenage Fanclub with McGinley, later enlisting Francis Macdonald and Gerard Love to record their debut A Catholic Education.

He has found international fame and acclaim with Teenage Fanclub for his songwriting talents and vocal abilities in both lead and harmony roles.

Blake has also appeared on recordings by The Trash Can Sinatras, The Pastels, Kevin Ayers, Bill Wells, The Reindeer Section, Snowgoose, Yeon Gene and The Pearlfishers.

In 2001, Blake stood down from being elected Rector of the University of Glasgow to make room for his friend, Belle and Sebastian's, Stuart Murdoch.