Summarize the following:
If you are serious about your band, and have the funds, you can look into booking some time at a studio. This will be expensive compared to a tape recorder, but the quality will be greatly improved and may result in your band being hired more often. Plus, it'll give you a good quality recording to play for your family and friends until you can get a real album recorded. Call the local clubs and ask if you can play. Find parties to play at. If you're in school, sign up for the talent show, or ask to play at lunch for your peers. By starting small, you can get a taste of how audiences react, what to do when you get better gigs, and make a little bit of spending cash. There is a section where club managers and event planners post gig information. These will often be paying gigs and are great ways to expose your band to the public.
Once you have a decent set of songs, consider recording a demo. Start with small gigs. Look on craigslist.com.