you need to do a lot of reading around, the boards here are a good place to start. here's the things you need to record:
mics. two types - condensers and dynamics. condensers are more commonly 'recording mics' and dynamics are 'live' ones. although there's lots of crossover.
preamps. you get these in a mixer or in a dedicated unit. for cheap mixers there is no beating to be had of the Yamaha MG series. avoid behringer mixers when there is a yamaha alternative for similar wad.
soundcard. m-audio audiophile 24/96 or look at their delta range. i have the delta 44.
monitors and headphones. some closed-back headphones with little leak so that your microphones don't pick up the stuff you're playing/singing along to as you're recording new parts. monitors are expensive, relatively, and you need to go listen to yorkevilles, behringers, events, alesis and more, then choose your favs.
hope that helps.