Yo,
I use a Phonic Helix Mk2 18 track firewire mixer/audio interface. (I think its 18 tracks in) - Which cost me about £300. There are M-Audio and Mackie alternatives, if you google phonic helix youl see the alternatives on most sites.
The mixer is your audio interface, connects to the PC/Mac via firewire (or USB) and has most of the features youl want for recording your band, at not a bad price. Zero latency recording, half decent pre amps, xlr and unbalanced inputs/outputs etc. The mixers are also available with 4, 12 and 24 inputs. If its quite a small set up and your just getting started, you should get away with 12 or 18 inputs - and ebay usually have tonnes of them cheap.
I use Mac OS and Cubase 6 - Once the mixer is installed (via firewire) each input appears as a seperate connection and is easily routed to each track within cubase. check levels, eq etc and your ready to go.
I know you didnt ask this but I also use mostly Shure SM57 mics which are excellent all rounders, cost about £100 new but usually amazing bargains to be had on ebay for them too.