In 1989, Koster formed Miss America with Liza Wakeman, Alan Edwards, Paul Wells and Keith Block. After legal threats from Miss America, they became Chocolate USA. Chocolate USA released two albums on Bar/None before disbanding to follow other projects.
Koster was a founding member of Major Organ and the Adding Machine. He appeared in the Major Organ and the Adding Machine film which was shown on the Holiday Surprise tour and was later released with an expanded edition of the 2001 album in 2009.[3]
In 2023, Koster started a new band, also called Orbiting Human Circus. They released their debut album, Quartet Plus Two, on November 17. The album featured contributions from Robbie Cucchiaro and Thomas Hughes, Koster's bandmates in The Music Tapes.
Personal life
Koster's father is noted flamenco guitarist Dennis Koster.[7]
Koster is close friends with Hedwig and the Angry Inch co-creator John Cameron Mitchell, having contributed to early readings of the production and featured the character of Hedwig in some early tours with The Music Tapes. Mitchell is a cast member on Koster's Orbiting Human Circus podcast.[9]
Sexual misconduct accusation
On July 9, 2024, Koster was accused by fellow Elephant 6 musician Nesey Gallons of grooming and sexual assault. Gallons alleged that the grooming began via email contact when Gallons was fifteen years old and turned physical in April 2001 when Gallons was sixteen, further alleging that Koster sexually assaulted Gallons twice in the summer of 2005.[10] Koster acknowledged having had a sexual relationship with Gallons and expressed remorse that their age gap, while legal in Georgia (Koster was 28 and Gallons was 16), was wrong and irresponsible on his part. He denied the other allegations, and claimed that they were part of an ongoing effort by Gallons and Gallons's spouse to coerce him into entering into a romantic relationship with them.[11]
In February 2026, Koster was granted a two-year restraining order against Gallons by a court in Bangor, Maine, where Gallons lives. District Judge Harris Mattson found Gallons abused Koster and was a "credible threat" to him after Gallons's campaign of threats and intimidation.[12]
↑The Orbiting Human Circus (February 7, 2017). Season One, Bonus Episode (your questions) (Video). YouTube. Event occurs at 19:55. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
↑The Orbiting Human Circus (May 14, 2018). (Of the Air): Firstly! (Podcast). WNYC Studios. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
