Pulaski, N.J. A New Jersey indie rock band got some unwanted exposure after two members were arrested and jailed in Pulaski for allegedly mooning motorists on Interstate 81.

The arrest came after an offended motorist followed the band’s van for more than half an hour and then pressed charges.

The members of Scream! Hello , who are from New Brunswick, N.J., and play a style of music described by singer James Caverly as a “energetic indie rock,” were on the way to a gig March 12 at the Fine Arts Center Annex in Pulaski.

The horseplay started when one member pulled down his pants to pass gas on the others, Caverly said. In retaliation, Caverly, 22, said he did the same.

“I don’t even think my butt was exposed,” Caverly said. “It was pressed against the dashboard the whole time.”

Cpl. Anthony Stone, 29, was heading home to Bristol, Tenn., on weekend leave from duty in the U.S. Army National Guard at Fort Lee. In a complaint filed with the Pulaski Police Department, Stone said that as the band’s Econoline van passed him just inside the Pulaski County line, Caverly was standing up with his bare bottom showing in the window. He also mooned another car, Stone said.

“I know they were doing it on purpose,” Stone said. “The gentleman did it three times and was laughing when they passed me.”

Stone called 911 to report the incident and was transferred several times before being connected with the Pulaski Police Department. He followed the van off xit 94 and into Pulaski. In all, Stone followed the band for about 40 minutes before a police officer arrived.

Caverly said the officer warned them to “keep our pants on,” then had him come back and apologize to Stone. The band then went on to the Annex and played a show with Brand New Disaster, Burning Silver and Adara.

Meanwhile, Stone went to the police department to press charges against Caverly and Dan Kluxen, 23, who was driving the van.

“I know if I had my two children with me, it’s not something I would like for them to see,” Stone said. “I wanted to make sure these gentlemen knew these were not tolerable actions for interstate travel.” After filling out the proper paperwork, Stone went home to Bristol.

Police arrived at the Annex to serve warrants on Caverly and Kluxen just as the band was finishing its set. When told to wrap things up because the police had arrived, Caverly said he initially thought there was a noise complaint. Instead, he and Kluxen were placed under arrest and taken to jail. Caverly was charged with indecent exposure. Because he was driving the van and didn’t stop Caverly, Kluxen also was charged with indecent exposure, even though he isn’t accused of mooning.

“The real funny thing is when we got taken away, all the kids came out and watched us,” Caverly said. “There were about 75 to 100 kids, and they started yelling. The cops had to calm the crowd, threaten to take them all to jail.”

Detective Mike Hudson of the Pulaski Police Department said the crowd dispersed uneventfully.

Caverly and Kluxen spent about three hours in jail but were eventually released on secured bonds of $2,500 and $1,500, respectively. The band members found a nearby hotel for the night, then traveled to Waynesville, N.C., the next day for a show there.

The two will return to Pulaski for court June 14.