An interface will be an essential start and then before you record any instruments or voices put the drum track down so you have a grid to edit to.
The guys I am playing and recording with did a single back in 2009, it was never intended to have drums of any kind and was recorded without a click track and it is an editing and mixing nightmare.
I'd also advise to record each drum as a separate track because the EQ and Compression is different for each and a single track will be far too much of a compromise and will sound like Ted Egan with his Fosterfone, as a general rule for a straight 4 you will have the kick on the 1&3, snare on the evens.
Lots of tricks mixing drums to make them effective, I'm very much a rank amateur but the amount I have learned about recording and mixing in the last 4 months or so is just not funny.
Feel free to ask away I'm sure there are others on here with far more experience than me and hopefully they will chime in and offer advice as well.
I know it's a way off yet but VOXENGO Span is an essential mixing tool, it's a free plugin and allows you to see exactly what your EQ changes are making as you go.